Event: Inviting Leaving Cert students to have their say in relation to the Leaving Cert 2021 as they experience uncertainty around the few months ahead.
Waterford TD wants to hear the views of Leaving Cert students as they experience uncertainty in the coming months.
Waterford TD Marc Ó Cathasaigh is inviting Leaving Cert students to have their say in relation to the Leaving Cert 2021 as they experience uncertainty around the few months ahead. He is hosting an online event this coming Thursday January 28th at 7.30pm and asks students to join him to share their experiences and tell him what they think should be done to meet their needs in the coming months. To register for the event, email marc.ocathasaigh@oireachtas.ie
He said: “The Leaving Cert class of 2021 has experienced a phenomenal amount of uncertainty over the last year and they have had months of upheaval which is taking it’s toll. They have missed classes, they have had to adapt to online learning and they are missing the peer support they gain from being in school. Students are finding this time extremely stressful. Their parents, families and teachers are worried for them and the uncertainty is tough for them all at a time that is already challenging for due to the COVID pandemic.”
“I have heard from some students locally who feel the traditional Leaving Cert should be cancelled, some who feel it shouldn’t be cancelled and others who are calling for a mixture of the traditional exam and calculated grades. As we all know from last year, no solution is ideal but I really want to hear what the students of Waterford want. I am a member of the Oireachtas committee on Education and a former teacher and I know that there isn’t a level playing field for students. Many students have limited access to the technology required for successful online learning, others have responsibilities at home which limit their ability to study and more are afraid they will fall through the cracks.”
“We are living in unprecedented times due to COVID but we have to be conscious of the significant impact this is having on our young people. Last year was very tough for the Leaving Cert class of 2020 as they missed out on milestones of their youth and this year is shaping up to be similar. I look forward to hearing what the Leaving Cert 2021 class of Waterford have to say on this and I will report back to my colleagues.”
Deputy Ó Cathasaigh will be joined at the meeting by his party colleague Senator Pauline O’Reilly who is the Green Party spokesperson on Education.
