Madam, – A student quoted in your paper (Front page, June 15th), unintentionally but accurately expresses the fatal flaw in our education system and the Leaving Certificate: “I know for definite that Irish will be the exam that most will cheat on because of learning notes off by heart will prove too much effort for them.”
How sad to see that in the 15 years since I sat the Leaving Certificate absolutely nothing has changed. Don’t think for yourself, don’t form your own opinions, don’t be creative – whatever the subject, simply learn as much as you can “off by heart” so you can regurgitate it in a hot exam room in June. This is not learning. This is not teaching. As a father with a young son about to enter the very same education system that results in this, it breaks my heart. – Yours, etc,