Ireland’s obsession with grinds is reinforcing inequality in the education system, a new report by the ESRI has warned.

The survey finds that while 55% of Irish students take grinds in their final year at school, children are much more likely to receive them if they are from a wealthy family.

The report also concludes that while there are “some positive benefits” for students it describes as ‘low achievers’, grinds offer “little, if any, gain” for their middle and high-achieving pupils.

On Newstalk Breakfast, parenting expert Sheila O'Malley said grinds “probably do” create an unequal playing field in education. 

“It’s nothing new, is it?” she said. 

“I did my Leaving Cert maybe 40 years ago and we were run in and out of the Institute [of Education] but I think it’s the degree to which parents are almost hothousing their kids and providing grinds at the drop of a hat. 

“Grinds are not cheap and it has an impact on the parent.” 

Students doing their Leaving Cert exams in Bandon, West Cork, 2022. Image: AG News / Alamy Stock Photo

Ms O’Malley said the use of grinds by wealthy parents to give their children an educational advantage is “unfair” but suggested there are cheaper ways of boosting grades.

“Life is unfair - there’s no doubt about it,” she said. 

“Some people can pay, some people can’t but I think… there’s an awful lot that parents can do that grinds do actually anyway.” 

Ms O’Malley said parents should focus on helping their children get into the right mindset before they sit exams instead of focusing on grinds.

“It’s improving their confidence and a parent can do that,” she said. 

“Because what I have found over the years is that the number one thing is belief. 

“A grind certainly helps with confidence and self-esteem.” 

After school

Ms O’Malley also believes that “too many grinds can be a problem” and can leave teenagers unprepared for a much more independent educational experience at third level.

“They’re going to end up in college and those supports are not there - and this is said to me by principals,” she said. 

Instead, she suggested parents develop “realistic expectations” for their child. 

“It’s not about 600 points,” she said. 

“There are so many courses out there; there’s courses for everybody and sometimes people have to take the scenic route.” 

According to the All-Ireland Business Foundation, the cost of an average grind is now €50 an hour.

Main image: A student studying. Picture by: Pixabay.