Help at hand by phone and online for exam students
RECEIVING their leaving cert results is perhaps one of the most stressful experiences that young school-leavers will have gone through in their lives to date.
With this in mind the post primary section of the National Parents’ Council (NPC) has once again set up their post-primary free-phone helpline offering confidential advice and support to students receiving their exam results this week.
The helpline on 1800 265 165, which has been in operation each year for the past two decades, is run in conjunction with Eircom, Irish Independent Newspapers and this year is also being supported by the GAA.
As part of their Community Support Programme, the GAA will be using their purpose built media centre at Croke Park as a base for the helpline, which will be open today (Thursday) from 8am-7pm and on Friday from 10am-1pm.
It will also be running next Monday and Tuesday from 8am-7pm and on Wednesday from 10am-1pm.
In addition there will be a live online blog at www.independent.ie/caolive, which will run next Monday (CAO offers Day) from 8am-4pm.
The helpline will be staffed by experts from the Institute of Irish Guidance Councillors and SUSI, which supports qualifying undergraduate students through the grant application process will also have an advisor on hand to answer queries.
Since its inception, the helpline has proved to be an invaluable tool for students, with calls and enquiries last year alone increasing by 40%.
NPC(pp) president Geoffrey Browne said the helpline will allow students to make informed choices about their future paths and further education choices.
He said that all queries on third level courses, leaving certificate appeals, and repeats, CAO procedures, no offers and financing further education will be dealt with in a “professional and confidential manner”.
The stadium director at Croke Park, Peter McKenna, said that they were pleased to be able to offer the use of facilities at GAA HQ for the helpline.
“Our Community Support Programme is delighted to be able to support young people at this important career decision point,” he said s.
Mr Browne said the GAA and the NPC(pp) were “ideal partners in supporting young people as they make the transition in to adult life”.
“No matter how prepared students are, this can be a very stressful and confusing time for them and their families, so talking to a professional can really help,” he said.