Cancel this pointless exam

Sir — Minister Joe McHugh should stop playing Russian roulette with the Junior Cycle exams before it has serious consequences on the mental and emotional health of about 63,000 15-year-old students.

He cancelled the official Junior Cert exam, replacing it with a watered-down version in September. A number of schools have wisely opted out. More are likely to follow.

Emotionally drained students haven’t seen the inside of a classroom for six weeks. They are unlikely to do so before the school year ends on May 29. After weeks of home study, they are feeling isolated and detached, struggling to stay exam focused and motivated. They are suffering from cabin fever and an overload of virtual learning. They have little opportunity to retain physical and mental equilibrium through normal exercise, leisure and sports. They are in the dark about the timing, duration and content of a token exam with little credibility or validity.

Young students are already suffering enough anxiety without a meaningless exam hanging over their heads during the summer months. The minister should abort the substitute September exam.

The State Examinations Commission isn’t going to certify that exam, so it will be worthless but still cause great distress. Let the young people enjoy the summer free from exam stress so they can return to school refreshed and ready for senior cycle.

Billy Ryle,

Tralee, Co Kerry