Students now have reason to stay

PREDICTABLY, the Leaving and Junior Certificate exams got underway last week as the country basked in glorious sunshine.

Given the deluge we experienced over the June bank holiday weekend, those sitting their exams must have thought that the weather gods were having a good laugh at their expense.

Let’s hope the sun continues to shine so our hardworking students get the summer they so deserve when the long slog is over later this month.

After a well-earned break, the focus will shift to what happens next. Many will be pinning their hopes on securing enough points for the college course of their choice; others will be looking at the vast array of post Leaving Certificate courses on offer, possibly as a stepping stone to third level education in the future.

Some will opt for traditional apprenticeships with a view to entering the workplace sooner. Those who don’t get the results they are expecting should take comfort in the fact that there are plenty of alternatives out there, including the option to repeat.

For the first time since 2008, there is growing optimism that Ireland is over the worst effects of its deep recession and the economy is recovering. In the past seven years, there was a foreboding sense that the Leaving Certificate was simply preparing our children for export.

However, there is every reason to be hopeful that those currently sitting their exams will represent a new generation of young people who are not forced to emigrate through necessity.

By all means they should travel the world and work abroad if they wish – but as a lifestyle choice and with the expectation of coming home to a lasting, fulfilling career. Large multinationals often cite our highly educated workforce as a factor in their decision to locate in Ireland (always seems to get a bigger mention than our favourable corporate tax rate!). With unemployment now below the important psychological 10 per cent barrier, those now sitting their Leaving Certificate can be reasonably optimistic that their future here is starting to look that little bit brighter.

I hope our Government gives them good reason to stay.