Sir, – It’s interesting to read Seán Ó Cathasaigh’s letter (June 19th) and his proposal to award extra CAO points to Irish, as is done for higher-level maths, in the Leaving Cert.
The introduction of extra points for maths has without doubt been one of the major causes of students seeking the exemption in Irish. Not only that but it has, according to many teachers, played havoc with other subjects, as very often students put inordinate amounts of time into maths to the detriment of their other Leaving Cert subjects.
So, in order to create a level playing pitch, would it not be fairer to make all subjects equal in relation to the awarding of CAO points? And have the Irish syllabus in sync with the other modern languages to “ease” the numbers seeking exemptions?
If all that fails, well at least one can say “we tried”- but try we must. – Yours, etc,
RM Block
Clare Grealy,
Rathgar,
Dublin 6.
Sir, – I agree with almost all of what Seán Ó Cathasaigh (Letters, June 19th) had to say about the need for our education and examination system to produce many more comfortable and more confident Irish speakers.
Unfortunately I have my doubts about how, when or why we should “incentivise” this for our future Leaving Cert students. Awarding extra CAO points is not the answer. Bonus points for higher-level maths have resulted in mediocre maths students being awarded points that effectively reflect the grades deserved by a good maths student.
Bonus CAO points for higher-level Irish could lead us down that same route. To reward mediocrity with extra points is to incentivise mediocrity, something that might do little or nothing for the greater good of our native language. – Yours, etc,
PÁDRAIC HARVEY,
An Cheathrú Rua,
Co na Gaillimhe.
