THE Fianna Fail spokesman on education has promised a review of the points system if his party forms the next government.
"We have become fixated with the idea of 18 year olds getting six honours, and thinking themselves failures if they do not," said Mr Micheal Martin. "We believe that it is now time to appoint a top level commission to review the entire system."
Speaking at the unveiling of his party's education manifesto in Dublin, he also called for the introduction of oral English exams in second level exams.
He said Fianna Fail would set up a national forum to devise a programme on preschool education, to be implemented over five years. "We will also ensure significant increases in the resources devoted to the needs of the primary sector, and the future of small, rural schools will be assured."
Fianna Fail, he said, would bring a coherent approach to further higher education, adding that the Government's White Paper on science, technology and innovation did not appreciate the role of research in universities and colleges.
