The public opinion war over Education Minister Ruairi Quinn’s plan to abolish the Junior Certificate stepped up a gear as teachers took to school gates airing their fears for the impact on education standards.

About 8,400 students sat the Leaving Certificate chemistry papers yesterday.

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg made an appearance on the metalwork and technology exam for 6,000 Junior Certificate students yesterday.

French and history filled the timetable for Junior and Leaving Certificate students yesterday.

IRELAND’S heavy oil dependence in the context of recent unrest in the Middle East was the subject of a question for Leaving Certificate chemistry students yesterday afternoon.

THERE was some irony for Leaving Certificate French students who were asked on the higher level exam to discuss the virtues of video refereeing in sport.

MANY questions on yesterday’s ordinary level Leaving Certificate chemistry paper were very difficult in the opinion of one teacher.

BOTH comprehension pieces in the higher level Leaving Certificate French exam yesterday were based in Brittany and the paper had an ecological theme.

ACCOUNTING was the flavour of the afternoon for the Leaving Cert and presented more than a few posers for the higher level students, especially those in all-Irish schools.

SPANISH was the morning exam faced by Junior and Leaving Certificate students yesterday.

LEAVING Certificate French was examined yesterday and ASTI’s Máire Ní Chiarba said the listening exam was very clear and related questions were appropriate.

THE end is in sight for the remaining few thousand students who have yet to complete the Leaving Certificate and Junior Certificate.

SPAIN are out of Euro 2004 but Real Madrid stars David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo all appeared on yesterday’s Spanish exams.