Radical exam reform is badly needed

Minister for Education and Skills Ruairi Quinn is entirely correct to place radical exam reform at the centre of his agenda. The Leaving Certificate examination has now fallen into disrepute and is no longer fit for purpose. Students are now trained to pass the exam, rather than to gain knowledge. The system encourages rote learning, discourages creativity and innovation, and places little emphasis on the development of individual thought. For too long our third level colleges and universities have been highlighting the deficiencies of the second level education system. Tom Boland, chief executive of the Higher Education Authority, has said many "spoon-fed" Leaving Certificate students, used to rote learning in school, came to college without the necessary skills. Similarly, the President of Dublin City University Prof Brian MacCraith has said "stamina is more important than intellect" for many high-scoring students in the Leaving Cert. Employers too have expressed concern at the quality of graduates and of our education system. We must also guard against our education system being simply geared towards producing a conveyor belt of workers for multi-nationals and high-tech industries. There is - and needs to be - more to education that simply preparing young people for employment. Prof MacCraith was right when he said Ireland would need more rounded graduates with strong skills in literacy and numeracy. And with excellent skills in communications, digital intelligence, adaptability, critical thinking and innovation. These are the sort of generic adaptable skills which will not only serve people well in careers but in life in general. However, the notion of increasing class sizes in primary schools is entirely inconsistent with developing a higher quality education system in this country.