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.

The figures emerged as Education Minister Ruairi Quinn insisted there are no plans to reintroduce third-level fees.

His spokesperson said: “The minister has asked the Higher Education Authority earlier this year to report back to him in the autumn on the options available to put third level on a sustainable footing.”

The Department of Education said the drop in numbers sitting the LCA should be seen in the context of a 5% rise in those completing the Leaving Certificate vocational programme, which was affected by similar funding and staffing cuts since 2009 and has not seen the same drop in attainment.

Leaving Certificate results issued to more than 57,500 students today also showed no improvement in overall maths grades. In fact, the proportion taking higher level papers has reached a record low of 15.8%. One in 10, or more than 3,700, students failed the subject at ordinary level.

Today’s results hint that points for entry to most college courses might not rise when offers are made next Monday.