As the Leaving Certificate results are being announced this morning, Labour Party Education spokesperson, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, has called on the Department of Education and Skills to consider adding elements to the Leaving Certificate curriculum to help students be more prepared for further education.

A study by Dublin City University has found that nearly two-thirds of students found that the Leaving Certificate did not adequately teach them how to think independently.

It is time for the Citizens’ Assembly to debate religious control of Irish education.
Please sign our petition:https://t.co/gU91s5yCSg

— Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (@AodhanORiordain) 19 de julio de 2018

Senator Ó Ríordáin said: “Over the next few weeks, our attention will turn to the points race, student accommodation struggles and college places. We should use this time to question if students feel prepared for further education or indeed the world of work and what scope is available to reform the Leaving Certificate to inspire more independent thought.

“Whether students go on to study at third-level institutions, take up apprenticeships or go straight to work; the ability to make independent judgements is required and if the vast bulk of students feel that they are not equipped to do this then the onus is on the Department of Education and Skills to change that.

“We know subjects like History, Geography and Politics & Society require independent research but these subjects are not available in every school. Perhaps it is time for the Department of Education and Skills and the National Council of Curriculum and Assessment to figure out how to ensure students are prepared for the real world.”

The Leaving cert does not measure:

good manners
humility
passion
leadership
integrity
persistence
compassion
entrepreneurship
work ethics
commitment
ability to inspire
collaboration
empathy
creativity
teamwork

So if leaving cert doesn’t go as planned, focus on these traits pic.twitter.com/V8aE7sqKsP

— Ray Boyne (@AnalysisGaa) 14 de agosto de 2018