The enormity of the task facing higher-level history students was demonstrated by yesterday's paper, said Mr Willie Ruane, who teaches in Muredach's College, Ballina, Co Mayo.
"However, today's paper was fair and balanced, with the exception of some quibbles. For instance, in section B, question 2 asked students about economic policies from 1922 to 1948 - so much went on in that 26 years," he said.
The course is so broad, it's impossible to cover everything and teachers have to make choices, Mr Ruane said. The extra 20 minutes may solve problems but it won't solve the problem of attracting students to take history. The number of questions should be decreased, he said.
TUI subject representative Mr Donough O'Brien said the higher-level paper was fine, though the omission of Russia post-1918, in sections D and E, may have upset some students.
The ordinary-level paper was straightforward with clear, unambiguous questions, said Mr O'Brien, who teaches in Mullingar Community College, Co Westmeath.
On economic history, teacher Mr Tony Kilkenny said the higher-level paper was more difficult than in previous years. Ordinary-level students fared better with a "satisfactory" paper, said Mr Kilkenny, who teaches in St Aidan's Community School, Tallaght, Dublin. In all, 377 students were entered for economic history.
