Sir, - I wish to clarify confusion which may result from the letter (October 9th) from Michael Grange, Acorn Associates, management training specialists, with regard to the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme. Mr Grange is confusing the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme and the Leaving Certificate Applied. His quotation from the Operational Programme for Human Resources Development 1994-1999 (page 24) which, he suggests, refers to the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme, in fact refers to the Leaving Certificate Applied.
It is essential that everybody concerned - school management, employers, teachers, pupils and parents - realise that the participants in the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme, which is a sub-set of the traditional Leaving Certificate, can enter the world of work or proceed directly to third level, including the universities. The Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme is directed at academically talented pupils and non-academic pupils alike.
It is very important that the mandatory modules of the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme, which foster enterprise and knowledge of the world of work, are seen as having a role for pupils of all abilities. This is given practical realisation in schools where some of the most academically talented take the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme, and proceed in the normal way to third level through the CAO/CAS system.
The other option, the Leaving Certificate Applied, is an innovative programme for pupils who do not wish to proceed directly to third level and for whom the traditional Leaving Certificate is unsuitable. The Leaving Certificate Applied recognises that academic abilities are only one of the many abilities which people have. Leaving Certificate Applied students are likely to proceed to post-Leaving Certificate courses, or to the world of work.
The two programmes are evidence of the strenuous efforts being made by the second-level education service to meet the changing needs of society. - Yours, etc.,
Assistant general secretary, ASTI, ASTI House, Winetavern Street, Dublin 8.