Clarity at last– but not nearly enough
KERRY PRINCIPALS EXPRESS MIXED VIEWS ON 2020 STATE EXAMS DECISIONS
EDUCATION Minister Joe McHugh’s announcement on Friday that the Leaving Cert was postponed until later this summer brought some clarity to exam students who’ve been at the mercy of the rumour mill for weeks now – but it hasn’t nearly put all their fears to bed.
Students and teachers across the spectrum have been left in limbo since schools closed over a month ago, and Leaving Cert students have been in the most anxious predicament of all.
Principals around the county have welcomed some long-awaited clarity – but St Brendan’s College Principal Seán Coffey expressed frustration after uncertainty returned with a bang this week.
“There are whisperings that schools might be allowed bring sixth-years back in May, if the current numbers hold,” he said. “In one way, I’d be disappointed if there was clarity and if that clarity changed again.
“The highly motivated are in danger of burnout, and the under-motivated are in danger of slipping away. Setting that target for late July or early August is a danger in itself, but at least it was a target. And now reputable media are carrying stories of a possible sixth-year return in May.”
In his view, this brings the possibility of an early-summer Leaving Cert back into play, and while he feels that remains the most suitable time of year, it also muddies waters that many hoped had cleared.
Mr Coffey also expressed concerns for teachers that one school year could run into the next; for first years still unsure of when they’ll be starting secondary school; for Junior Certs, who will instead undertake school-based exams and assessments in the new school year; and for fifth years, who continue crucial course work away from classrooms.
“I’m not sure what the right answer is, but public health trumps everything else,” he added.
“My ultimate hope is St Brendan’s will open without losing a staff member, parent, or student.
“It’s easier for the UK to find a solution and have that clarity because they have a form of continuous assessment. They have a picture of their students already. But there’s a huge resistance to predictive grading in this country.”
St Michael’s College Listowel Principal John Mulvihill, however, did feel that predictive grading was an option, and he is worried that already anxious times for senior exam students will continue.
“I do have reservations about asking students to carry on over the summer period,” he said. “A student comes in looking forward to his Leaving after five or six years, and June is the finishing point. Unfortunately, the stress will now go on another while.
“This is my view: I think myself predictive results could have been used, and if a student wasn’t happy, they could have the option of doing a paper later in the summer.
“I think the school and the department would be well in a position to certify where a student stands.”
While some positivity has arisen towards remote and distance learning, there was general consensus amongst the principals The Kerryman spoke to that it falls short of a traditional classroom setting.
Mr Coffey said it will not always provide the level playing field of a classroom: some households have better internet connections; while some houses have several people learning or working from home, and there may be competition for devices.
Mr Mulvihill said a survey carried out at his school showed students miss a peer-learning environment and extra-curricular activities.
Ruairí Ó Cinnéide of Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí also found a few faults in the home-learning that has become the new norm for students.
“You could have a student and their household isn’t a good working environment,” he said. “You might have parents who’ve lost jobs, parents may be working from home, students may have to mind siblings. Households are ‘ trína chéile’, so that’s the major concern.
“The wait is the biggest challenge: keeping themselves focused, motivated for an extended period. They were looking at the exam starting in eight weeks’ time, and that’s maybe doubling now... I hope they wouldn’t drop their heads and will keep their focus.
“It’s difficult to say what structures will have to be in place going forward, because there’s still a lack of clarity. All we’ve been told by the Department so far is that the exams are starting some time towards the end of July, but there’s no timetable in place yet.”
Principals have also encouraged struggling students to reach out to their peers or to get in contact with their schools, where various supports are available.