Sir, – I am writing regarding your coverage by Peter McGuire of the Leaving Cert mathematics exam and the piano-tuning question (“Leaving Cert maths, paper one: A song and dance about a bum note”, Education, June 5th).
I recall my first day learning to tune pianos when our lecturer discussed the physics of string tension, different partial series and which beats to listen for to ensure enough tension was added per string per note for a correct piano tuning.
Following this class, I panicked given how low I scored in my Leaving Cert maths exam. Many years and pianos later, I can assure students not to be put off the piano-tuning trade. As with all careers, once you know what to listen for, you will be okay. – Yours, etc,
GARY WOODS,
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Fifth-generation piano tuner,
Clane,
Co Kildare.
Sir, – Why does The Irish Times give so much coverage to the Leaving Certificate exams?
With all the pressure students feel at this time of year, it does not help that so much attention is put on the exams. It also unnecessarily feeds into the (problematic) view that the Leaving Cert is the be-all and end-all for students finishing secondary school. – Yours, etc,
ALAN BONNY,
Ballinteer,
Dublin 16.
