A fair paper but challenging in parts

TEACHERS felt Leaving Certificate higher-level business students were put through their paces yesterday.

Teacher John McDonnell, of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland and Jesus and Mary Secondary School, Crossmolina, Co Mayo, said the paper was fair but difficult 'in spots'.

He said students were required to show their knowledge and that they had to 'analyse and evaluate'. It was also demanding in terms of time.

And while it was doable for well-prepared students, weaker pupils would have struggled, he said.

William Murphy, of the Institute of Education, Dublin, described it as challenging.

'It mixed questions which students were comfortable approaching with questions with which even the best-prepared candidate would have struggled.

'The long questions required candidates to have a detailed knowledge across the entire breadth of the syllabus. The exam contained a number of questions related to very specific aspects of the syllabus,' he said.

Mr Murphy said Question 1 (a)(i) was difficult as it required students to understand the implications of the Industrial Relations Act 1990 on a specific group -- the trade unions.

'Students would have studied the act, but not necessarily the impact on relevant stakeholders. Unfortunately, many candidates would have looked to this question going into the exam.'

Both teachers agreed that the ordinary-level paper was straightforward.

- Katherine Donnelly

Irish Independent