‘They are delighted with the decision’
ST Michael’s College Listowel Principal John Mulvihill said he was fully confident that calculated grading will work, saying the Department move has come as a massive relief to parents, students and teachers.
“All the parents and students I’ve spoken to since it was announced said they are absolutely delighted,” Mr Mulvihill told The Kerryman.
“I welcome the decision. It’s very positive and a major relief to everyone. I firmly believe it will work as a very fair alternative to the usual Leaving Cert in these extraordinary circumstances.”
A survey of his Leaving Cert students he undertook last week showed the vast majority did not wish to sit the Leaving Cert as proposed from July 29 – pushing their stress deep into the summer amid ongoing COVID fears.
That result also demonstrates broad confidence in teachers’ ability to suggest grades, Mr Mulvihill added. “It will work as teachers are very professional and it is clear that the vast majority of students are confident in teachers indicating grades.
“The Department will also judge each grade in accordance with the national average and the averages in individual schools to come to what I have no doubt will be a very fair outcome for all students.
“If people are not happy they will be able to appeal their results or sit the exams at a later stage so that represents a big safety valve... on this occasion the move was the right decision,” Mr Mulvihill added.