Survey: most local students pessimistic about in-person Leaving Cert going ahead

A survey of attitudes towards Leaving Cert 2021, co-ordinated by the constituency office of Fianna Fáil TD for Longford Westmeath, Robert Troy, reveals that the majority of students (75pc) in the constituency are pessimistic about the Leaving Certificate going ahead as normal this summer.

Nationally, 84pc of second-level students who responded to the survey indicated their pessimism for in-person examinations.

The survey received 1,557 responses from across Longford and Westmeath, from students, parents and guardians, and teachers.

Of those a total of 962 responses came from second-level students in Westmeath and Longford, 795 sixth year students and 167 second-level students from fifth year and below.

When asked about their attitude towards Leaving Certificate 2021 and what they would like to see happen:

• 48pc of students preferred a mix of calculated grades and exams

• 37pc of students preferred calculated grades only

• 8pc of students preferred exams to go ahead as usual

Students who took part in the survey also indicated that flexibility of project submission deadlines was needed, and 88pc agreed that greater leeway should be granted to students regarding the timing of submission for certain Leaving Certificate projects.

Responses from parents, guardians and teachers broadly mirrored students’ attitudes to in-person exams going ahead, as 61pc indicated they were pessimistic or very pessimistic.

In terms of what they thought should go ahead, 37pc indicated a preference for a combination of calculated grades and exams, and more than a third of teachers, parents and guardians preferred calculated grades only.

Students were also asked about their experience of remote learning, and 61pc said they had a negative or very negative experience; one in five stated they had a positive or very positive experience; and 18pc had no opinion on their experience of remote learning.

Minister Robert Troy said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has challenged every sector of our society; the way we live, learn, and work has been hugely disrupted for the good of public health.

“While it has been difficult, through our collective efforts we are making a difference.

“I commend the youth of Longford and Westmeath and their families, teachers and schools, who have shown extraordinary resilience and strength in the face of such uncertainty.

“I have met sixth year students in recent weeks, and their maturity and forbearance in the face of such difficulty is something we should be applauding at every opportunity.

“The purpose of the survey was to collate the feedback and attitudes of the people in Longford Westmeath to the Leaving Certificate this year and ensure their voices and opinions are part of ongoing deliberations.

“I have shared these results with my government colleague, Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD, to inform her continued discussions. I expect greater clarity on the Leaving Certificate 2021 will be forthcoming in the next few days.”

In total, the survey attracted 5,910 responses.

It was conducted between Tuesday January 23 and Sunday January 31 on Survey Monkey.