Contrast He said the response to students on this occasion was in marked contrast to last year when ministers had ruled out alternatives to the traditional Leaving Cert, despite opposition from students. Teachersâ unions have voiced their opposition to calculated grades or assessing their own students this year and support holding a traditional Leaving Cert. However, Ms Foley has warned that the longer schools remain closed, the greater the challenge will be in holding a traditional exam. Many education partners agree privately that hopes of holding the traditional exams will fade if Leaving Cert students remain out of school beyond the February mid-term break.