A chara, - The Commission on the Points System is to be applauded for its worthwhile recommendations to assist some of the State's disadvantaged students.
The Commission's understanding of "disadvantaged" is, however, too narrow and faulty. In recommending "that the practice of allocating bonus marks in the Leaving Certificate to candidates who answer through the medium of Irish should end", the Commission highlights that lack of understanding by ignoring the many disadvantages faced by teachers and students in both Gaeltacht and Irish-medium schools. The system of bonus marks was introduced to offset those disadvantages.
The Minister for Education and Science should reject that particular recommendation of the Points Commission until the following measures have been successfully implemented throughout the school cycle:
the provision of special syllabuses for the teaching of both Irish and English (a) in Gaeltacht schools, and (b) in other Irish-medium schools;
the provision of special training courses for those who wish to teach in Irish-medium schools, within or outside of the Gaeltacht;
the provision of an adequate range of textbooks and other teaching materials in Irish for all subjects.
The long absence of such measures has meant that teachers in Irish-medium schools have had to devise and provide their own class materials.
That situation needs to be redressed urgently. - Is mise, Una Ui Bheirn,
Pairc Rath Maonais, Baile Atha Cliath 6.