Fall in take-up and results for Leaving Cert Applied

THE number and performance of students taking a Leaving Certificate course specifically aimed at those at risk of dropping out of the education system have hit their lowest point for years and come as a direct result of funding and staffing cuts, teachers have claimed.

The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) expressed deep concern at the 5% fall in the number of students taking the Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) and the actual grades achieved by the students.

More than 550 — or almost 17.5% of the 3,191 who sat the exam — received a credit, a level below the overall pass mark. This mark has been awarded to just 13% to 14% of LCA students in the last four years of the exam.