One of the country’s main teachers unions has said students should be offered alternatives to the Leaving Cert as they come to the end of their schooling.

The Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) has been reacting to a new review of the senior cycle in Irish schools.

More than 2,500 students and hundreds of parents were consulted for the review which the Government will use to bring forward plans for reforming the senior curriculum.

The Irish Times reports that the students, teachers and schools called for a more flexible curriculum.

It would see students assessed through projects, teamwork and portfolios over two years - instead of through one final exam.

Participants also warned that the current system is “too academic” and called for the system to offer a wider range of pathways for students.

ASTI president Breda Lynch said many teachers believe the current system is not working.

“There is an element where they say the Leaving Cert as it is doesn’t suit all students and I think we need to look at alternative pathways,” she said.

“The emphasis on CAO points is a large part of the problem and I believe there are students doing the Leaving Cert who might be better doing a different programme; who might be better working towards training and apprenticeships.

“Those pathways have not been fully developed.”

If the Government acts on the findings, the Leaving Cert could be set for one of its biggest overhauls in 50 years.

Students were found to have the strongest level of support for the introduction of continuous assessment in place of a final exam.

Many schools warned that any changes to the assessment system would be ineffective without an overall of the third-level entry process.