Cork Leaving Cert student makes impassioned plea for cancellation of exams

A SIXTH year student from Cork has called for the cancellation of the leaving cert for 2020.

Cian Pierce, a student at Glanmire Community College, has uploaded a video online, which explains in detail the reasons why being left in limbo is causing stress to so many students due to sit exams.

He has said home school “won’t reap the same results” as it doesn’t take into account individual learning styles, while some students have to mind younger siblings because their parents are working.

“What about students who may end up with the Coronavirus?” he asked.

“We started the year knowing that we would be sitting our leaving cert. Right now, we don’t have any idea of what’s going to happen. We need answers,” Cian said.

“I mean no disrespect, but the statement by the Taoiseach that said they want the exams to go ahead ‘by hook or by crook’ is just arrogant.

“I’m not trying to tell the Department of Education what to do,” Cian said, but believes “the student voice needs to be heard.” It comes as Education Minister Joe McHugh is due to make an announcement on the state exams shortly.

It’s unlikely that the exams will take place in June as planned, however, it’s thought they could be pushed to later in the summer - something Cian said would "destroy student morale and motivation."

The views expressed by Cian are his own, and not that of his school.