Calls For Changes To Leaving Cert Echo Across Politics And Social Media
Once again, the hot topic of conversation on Twitter is the Leaving Cert – and whether or not the exams will go ahead in June. Last year’s State Examinations were cancelled a month before they were scheduled to start, with Leaving Cert students instead being issued with “predicted grades”. There are growing calls for action on this year’s exams, as sixth year students face into their second period of time out of school.
Minister for Education Norma Foley appears determined to plough ahead with the exams in their traditional sit-down format in June, but students and several TDs are making their voices heard on Twitter. #LeavingCert2021 once again started trending on the site this morning, in many cases accompanied by #giveusachoice.
The Leaving cert is outdated. A cruel initiation into adulthood that serves no purpose beyond the exam itself.
What exactly is the exam preparing students for- life, jobs, further education? If so, it fails on all fronts.
https://t.co/t2Q0lqswAf— Gary Gannon TD (@GaryGannonTD) January 18, 2021
So far, Ógra Fianna Fáil, Young Fine Gael, multiple FF TDs and senators, and 32,000 students have come out in support of optional predicted grades. @NormaFoleyTD1 are you happy yet? #OurFutureOurChoice #LeavingCert2021 — Shane Farragher 🇵🇸 (@Shane_Far) January 18, 2021
The Government's living with Covid strategy has lead to absolute chaos in education, particularly for students in their leaving cert year and students with additional needs.#LeavingCert2021 pic.twitter.com/3982IdSPU6 — Richard Boyd Barrett (@RBoydBarrett) January 14, 2021
Hope my proposal to replace Leaving Cert 2021 with one big national Kahoot is given serious consideration in coming days. #LeavingCert2021 pic.twitter.com/ubnteBsYgy — Brendan O'Sullivan 🇮🇪🇪🇺 (@ImtaBrendan) January 17, 2021
society if @NormaFoleyTD1 gave us a choice of predicted grades #LeavingCert2021 #makepredictedgradesoptional pic.twitter.com/ggKuRiEmoC — lc 21 (@leavingcert21) January 16, 2021
Has anyone already suggested they could vaccinate the leaving cert kids so that they could have some certainty? Not a selfish proposal from a stressed out mom at all 👀 #vaccination #LeavingCert2021 — Joanna Donnelly (@JoannaDonnellyL) January 17, 2021
🚨Tomorrow🚨 — Mick Barry TD (@MickBarryTD) January 18, 2021
Ive heard reports that doctors are prescribing medication for 6th yr students who are suffering due to the Leaving Cert exams. This is unacceptable. You made your voices known last week, lets do the same again!#StudentMentalHealthMatters #NoForcedLC #CancelTheLC21 pic.twitter.com/CvzGTjmurQ