Extra stress and concern
Vocational College, Aoife Nolan, plans to become a primary school teacher.
Speaking about the exams she said there weren’t too many options for the Government with regard to how they could solve the situation.
‘I didn’t really see how else they could have done this other than predictive grades,’ she said.
‘It would have put so many people at risk and to try and study for the whole summer would have been so hard,’ she added.
Aoife said she was relieved when the announcement was made and was happy with the work she did in Fifth and Sixth Year.
‘I was happy that would show,’ she said.
However, she also said she would have like the opportunity to work through the traditional style exams to get what she wanted.
‘I still have field trip studies that I haven’t got to hand in yet that would have been 20 per cent and the Home Economics journal would be extra percentage as well,’ said Aoife.
‘We don’t know how that will work [now],’ she added.
The Principal in Coláiste Bride, Kiera O’Sullivan, also felt the Government didn’t have much choice.
‘I think the teachers and students work together well towards a common goal,’ she said.
‘I think some students will be disappointed and others will be delighted,’ she added.
‘Nothing that would replace the leaving certificate would please everyone but you have to keep in mind safety.’
Ms O’Sullivan also said that the last couple of weeks had amounted to ‘mental torture’ for a lot of students but now there is some degree of clarity for everyone.
‘We are awaiting specific guidelines and the process has to be exceptionally transparent,’ she said.