Leaving Cert a staging post, not a final stop - TUI

By piofficer, Wednesday, 12th August 2015 | 0 comments

The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) today congratulated students on their Leaving Certificate results. The union is advising students to look at furthering their education in those areas of greatest interest to them.

Speaking today, TUI President Gerry Quinn said:

‘Students should be congratulated on their achievements today. At a time when the education system has been damaged by cutbacks, they have shown fortitude and determination in securing their results.

They should keep things in perspective and remember that these exams will not define their lives. There will be other opportunities to pursue their desired course if they did not secure the results that they hoped for today.

We pay particular tribute to mature students who may have returned to take the exams and we hope that they found the experience a rewarding one. Also, many students of different nationalities who took the exams may only have acquired English recently. These students deserve special credit.

We wish all students the very best for the future.

Parents also deserve credit for the endless support and encouragement provided to their children over the course of their studies. In all too many cases, this was at a time of increased pressure in households due to economic uncertainty.

In addition, teachers have demonstrated commitment and innovation on a daily basis in providing a first class public education service to students.

Students should consider further study in areas that that they are passionate about and that they easily and naturally engage with rather than basing decisions on where employment prospects currently seem plentiful.

The Leaving Certificate is a staging post rather than a final stop. Those students who choose to enter the workforce now should keep in mind the possibility of further education at a later stage.  They should remember that there is a direct correlation between future earnings and their level of academic attainment.

Learning is a lifelong pursuit and is not age-limited. Students should consider the wide spectrum of cutting-edge courses in third level institutions and further education colleges around the country.

Celebrate wisely
We encourage students to celebrate responsibly and to avoid any behaviour that might ruin this occasion for themselves, their friends and families.

Construction Studies and Engineering popularity shows need for new apprenticeship system
‘We note that over 8,260 students took Construction Studies this year, with 5,376 sitting Engineering. Our education and training strategy must continue to provide options that allow for the training of tradespeople. Apprenticeship in this country continues to be exclusively employer led, so if a young person wants an apprenticeship they must find an employer to sponsor it. A significant and steady increase in construction is expected in the coming years, yet because of the excessive reliance on the employer-led system there is a real risk of a dearth of qualified tradespeople. A recalibration of this system is required, and Institutes of Technology are best placed to devise and deliver new ways of meeting the education and training needs of apprentices and the needs of the construction industry.

LCA/LCVP numbers worrying

The drop in the number of candidates taking the Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) and Leaving Cert Vocational (LCVP) programmes should be further investigated, given the overall rise in the total number of candidates taking the Leaving Certificate.
We believe that cuts to capitation grants and support roles such as guidance counselling and year head have had a negative effect on the programmes.

Maths
The continued increase in the number of students taking Higher Level Maths is a positive.

Physics and Chemistry numbers encouraging
Similarly, the continued increase in the number of candidates taking Higher Level Physics and Higher Level Chemistry is encouraging at a time when these have been identified as key in terms of the nation’s skills requirements. School principals and teachers should take great credit for their innovation in offering and promoting the subjects at a time when teaching numbers have been reduced, student numbers have increased and a slew of other cutbacks are impacting on schools. This should be consolidated by providing teachers with secure, full-time jobs so that provision of these subjects can be consolidated and maintained. Regrettably, a third of all second level teachers are on part-time contracts and many cannot afford to continue in the profession.

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