SECONDARY SCHOOL teachers have expressed concern about the integrity of the Leaving Certificate, claiming some projects for the examination are being compiled by parents or grind-school teachers rather by than the pupils themselves.
Citing a high number of A-grade projects generated by grind schools in home economics, history and geography, the ASTI teachers' union has written to the State Examinations Commission signalling that members are increasingly reluctant to "sign off" or validate project work by students.
Project work or coursework accounts for 20 per cent of the overall marks in several Leaving Cert subjects, including history, geography, home economics and religion.
Teachers and schools must satisfy themselves that the work has been completed by the candidate before it is sent to the State Examinations Commission.
Last night, however, Ed Byrne of ASTI said there was a widespread belief among teachers that some grind schools were preparing project work for students. The very high grades given to project work must also raise questions, he said.
John White, general secretary of ASTI, said members were concerned that the objective nature of the Leaving Cert was being tainted and compromised through some projects, portfolios and coursework.
Leaving Cert grades for the project element of the exam are significantly higher than for the written exam, according to an Irish Times analysis.
In history, for example, the average mark for project work was grade A, despite the fact that only 12 per cent of candidates achieved this grade in the written exam.
In geography, 80 per cent of projects scored a B, but only 37 per cent of candidates achieved this grade in the written exam.
In home economics, 87 per cent scored grade C or higher, but only 76 per cent achieved this grade in the written exam.
Project work has become an increasing feature of the Leaving Cert in recent years as the much- criticised exam shifts from total reliance on one or two written papers.
Educationalists generally favour a project-based approach as it is designed to promote independent learning. An advisory body to the Minister for Education, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, would like to expand project work and other forms of assessment over the two-year Leaving Cert course.
Mr White said the British education system was moving away from project work because of the risk of plagiarism and interference from parents and others. Third-level colleges were also concerned about any factor that might damage the integrity of the exams, he said.
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