The 'obsession' with the leaving certificate and the points race here is causing 'fear and anxiety' in our young people.
That's the view of the Minister for Higher Education who says there is still a snobbery in Ireland around third level education.
Simon Harris says skilled trades and other careers have been devalued and he hopes the revamped CAO website which has information on PLC's and apprenticeships will change that.
Narrowed The Conversation
Minister Harris says the conversation with teenagers should be about the range of options available to them.
"I've been in dozens of secondary schools this year talking to students and you can see the fear and anxiety in the eyes of so many.
"I actually think we're an outlier in terms of the pressure that we actually put on young people in terms of you must get X amount of points or you can't fulfill your dreams or your career.
"This isn't true and we've allowed a narrowing on the conversation around the options after school."
