It’s not ‘good enough’ to dismiss LC high achievers
EVERY year the Leaving Certificate results have brought delight and disappointment to young men and women who worked to achieve their desired grades and points for college. We all have known some in either category and have congratulated and commiserated with each, in what I think was always a balanced way.
The release of the Leaving Certificate results is a time where we are also made aware of those who have exceptional academic ability and we have always marvelled at these young people and appreciated their place among us.
However, this year seems very different to me and I am writing to express my disappointment at the insensitivity to the high achievers who were robbed of their grades this time around.
Of course, we have many with elevated grades who are delighted and that’s fair, given the stresses they have suffered in 2020. But what about the devastated ones who were denied what they were actually due?
Can we not at least acknowledge that they were sacrificed in the name of standardisation? And what is with the attitude of ‘good enough for them’?
To be smug and console oneself that they come from wealthy, privileged families is not only incorrect, it denies something more fundamental.
We need these high achievers. They have a very important place among us. Deny them their place at your peril.
When we are facing medical emergencies, recession, injustice or danger, who do you want taking charge – ‘good enough’ or ‘exceptional’?
Maria Dowling, Sutton, Dublin 13.
AS SCHOOLS reopen we need further support from the Department of Education to ensure they remain open over the coming weeks. This should include a robust rapid testing regime for our children, a permanent reduction in class sizes, and additional support for kids with special needs as well as for parents who have to keep children at home if they present with Covid symptoms.
Children are arriving into a greatly altered environment and I have no doubt the teachers and principals will deal with the transition as they see fit.
Great credit must be given to school staff who worked over the summer months to make schools ready for these peculiar times and there are big challenges ahead for all of us.
Class sizes in this country are the largest in Europe and this Government seems determined to keep them that way.
This needs to be addressed right away not only in the context of the pandemic but also so that students get the best education and to make sure students with special needs are not left behind.
These are outstanding issues that must be tackled as a matter of urgency.
Noel Harrington, Kinsale, Co. Cork.
YOUR article on the ‘racist’ system for training doctors (MoS, Sept 6) was rather unilateral because:
1. There are a large number of doctors from India, Pakistan and other parts of the world who are employed as permanent consultants (in those positions for a large number of years) in Ireland
2. Registration is under the control of the Medical Council, training posts are created by the faculties/colleges, and not the HSE. The HSE can only employ doctors with registration.
3. Doctors from Pakistan and Sudan are lucky to get registration whereas the registration is currently denied to doctors from India and some other parts of the world (UK/NHS is benefiting).
4. Progress is dependent on each doctor (academic, degrees, planning pathways) and what they want to do in the future. They all have had options like the Irish or EU-trained doctors.
5. Sure it is difficult to get into training posts, but there are ways, even if it means a move to the UK or other places. One can always apply for consultant posts once a person receives adequate training. A doctor’s CV has to be strong to prove one’s worth.
6. Irish doctors and others had to work in other countries (US/ UK/Australia) to gain more experience and take up consultant posts. Some of the nonEU doctors do not want to take that pathway.
7. A degree of racism, nepotism, and favouritism exists everywhere in the world. We cannot avoid this but surely we can work around it and progress.
Nobody said it was easy – a positive attitude, not a blaming one, is paramount
Cathy Ryan, Newbridge, Co. Kildare.
I AGREE with Ger Colleran that ‘our Taoiseach has capitulated to Brussels over [Phil] Hogan successor’ (MoS, Sept. 6). This is totally unacceptable and underlines our subservient attitude to the EU.
It is a sad day when we cannot rely on our Government to submit a candidate as a commissioner without interference from Brussels. We seem to carry little enough weight in Europe without bowing to the wishes of Commission president Ursula von der Leyen regarding a replacement for Phil Hogan.
Surely the Irish people are deserving of some signs of pride in our nation being displayed by the Taoiseach and others instead of bowing to Ms Von der Leyen? Mary Stewart, Donegal town.