I read with interest the E&L editorial of October 12th relating to the publication of league tables based on Leaving Certificate results. The balanced debate and measured tone was welcome, but your argument in favour was not altogether convincing.

We do not have to accept that the adoption of this procedure by the Blair government is indicative either of its efficacy in Britain or its reliability here. Publication on the grounds that it is what parents want and that "Information in itself is not dangerous, just the uses to which it is put" might seem more plausible.

Information, however, is rarely as innocuous as you suggest. It is generated under particular circumstances and is interpreted according to the inclinations, prejudices and agendas of its recipients. Can one really be confident that the consequences of publication would be predominantly beneficent?

We may anticipate that these statistics will sensationally reveal the obvious: that we have a significant underclass of underachieving youths, that they are disproportionately concentrated in urban working-class areas, that they attend schools which serve these places and that these schools have no policy of selection, covert or otherwise.

What happens then? Is it likely that these lists will result in a radical overhaul of a system whose very structures do so much to perpetuate the social divisions in our society? Or will they merely stimulate an annual orgy of self-congratulation, demoralisation and blame? Experience suggests that the latter is more likely.

And isn't there a danger that such a development would encourage a climate in which education is seen merely as a commodity, whose purpose and value is mainly utilitarian? Schools may continue to resist this tendency, they may still aspire to the ideal of educating the whole person through a broad, liberal curriculum in a humane environment. Despite this, though the Leaving results may not be all that matters, they will matter even more than they used to - and for all the wrong reasons.

What of the parents said to be demanding the publication of results? In this developing scenario, they are presented as consumers who are currently being deprived of essential information regarding the business of schooling, into which they have invested their children and their money. This seems at odds with the philosophy which sees parents and students as partners in education. What kind of sleight of hand is it that recognises their active role during part of the process but allows them to be its mere victims at the end?

Will not these results and the place of the school on the league table reflect also on the quality of learning undertaken by the students and the quality of the parenting provided for them at home? While the major part of formal education is undertaken by the school, it can do little if students and parents are unwilling to support it. Where does the "naming and shaming" stop?

There are indeed serious problems in Irish education, but the formation of league tables will do little to quantify or redress them. Many of these problems are related to the years of indifference on the part of the well-heeled and powerful to conditions in those schools which cater for the weak and the poor. It is difficult to believe that the demand for the publication of results is designed to serve anything but the selfish interests of the former or that such disclosure will suddenly make them care. Those set to be humiliated by this process will continue to be, the disregarded ones we turned against, Because we'd failed them by our disregard.

(Seamus Heaney, "Mint")