Students to get better chance at medicine

STUDENTS taking the Leaving Certificate in 2009 will have the chance to study medicine without getting near-perfect exam results, Education Minister Mary Hanafin has insisted.

Despite delays in introducing changes to reduce pressure for the limited number of undergraduate places in the country’s medical schools, she says they will be in place for students beginning fifth year in just over a month’s time.

“We’re still finalising the details but I am intent on bringing in the changes for the Leaving Certificate in 2009. That is still the aim but there are a couple of things which we must clarify,” Ms Hanafin said.