The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has congratulated Leaving Certificate students receiving their Calculated Grades today, praising them for their patience and perseverance during an extremely difficult period and wishing them the very best for the future.
The Union has also highlighted the ‘remarkable flexibility and commitment’ of Irish teachers in engaging with the Calculated Grades process on a one-off basis so that students could progress to the next stage of their lives.
Speaking this morning, TUI President Martin Marjoram said:
‘While the clear preference of the TUI was always that the written Leaving Certificate examinations would proceed, the Union recognised that this was not possible due to the public health emergency and engaged positively with the other stakeholders to develop a robust, credible alternative process of comparable status – the Calculated Grades. As a result, students will receive state certification of their academic achievement and can progress to the next phase of their lives, be that in higher or further education or in employment.
We extend special congratulations to all students on receiving their results today and recognise that the last several months have been extremely difficult for them. We commend their resilience in deeply challenging and uncertain times and we have no doubt that the fortitude they have displayed will benefit them now and in the future.
As always, some students will be disappointed with their grades. Our strong advice to them is not to not lose hope. Now more than ever, education is a lifelong pursuit and there have never been more routes open to pursue a chosen career.
It may be an obvious point, but we still believe it is worth stating that in continuing their education students should choose courses/programmes in areas that they find engaging and exciting.
There have never been so many options available to school-leavers. In addition to third level options in Institutes of Technology and Universities, students should also consider the wide breadth of choices in Further Education/Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) colleges around the country. These courses offer high quality standalone qualifications with the option of progression to higher education and training upon graduation. Students should also seriously consider apprenticeship options which are available across an ever-expanding range of areas and which can lead to fulfilling and successful careers.'
Special mention for parents, guardians and adult learners
‘The consistent support and encouragement of parents and guardians provided a solid base to students throughout their time in school and particularly during the time since the closure of schools in March 2020. Many will have made huge personal sacrifices to give their children every chance.
In addition, we praise the brave decision of those adult learners who juggled studies with the various complications and difficulties that the pandemic brought to their households.’
The role of teachers
‘Irish teachers have demonstrated remarkable flexibility and commitment by engaging with the Calculated Grades process on a one-off, ‘without precedent’ basis so that students could progress to the next stage of their lives.
They work longer hours than the OECD and European averages, providing a first-class education service on a daily basis to learners of all abilities in an education system that has been chronically under-resourced. In addition, they are now meeting the challenge of re-opening schools and providing an education service of the highest quality to their students in conditions that would have seemed unimaginable this time last year.
It is deeply unjust and professionally insulting that many are paid at a lesser rate than their colleague across the corridor for carrying out the same work with the same energy, commitment and dedication. Another cohort of school leavers will today take a step towards becoming teachers themselves, and the profession must remain attractive if it is to continue to attract the best graduates. The unacceptable discrimination of pay inequality must end.’