Leaving Cert grades down in Irish and maths
Grades have continued to slip in higher level Irish and maths subjects, this year’s Leaving Cert results show today.
The long wait ends this morning for almost 54,000 anxious students as they receive their results at their schools, online or by telephone.
But the statistics show that declining numbers of students are taking higher level Irish and maths and that the number of A1 grades in Irish has slipped by a full 1% since 2005.
Grades in maths recovered slightly since last year but are still 0.7% down on 2005 figures.
A total of 327 (3.9%) higher level maths students failed the subject this year while the equivalent figure for Irish was 138.
The number of A2, B1 and B2 grades in higher level Irish also fell slightly on 2006.
Elsewhere a breakdown of the overall results in other subjects shows trends are broadly consistent with last year.
Education minister Mary Hanafin and the State Examinations Commission (SEC) today congratulated students on their performances and wished them well in the future.
Ms Hanafin added: “Look at all the options and career paths that are open and the variety of ways to gain additional academic credits which could lead you to your chosen career path in the future.”
SEC chairman Richard Langford said: “Receiving these results is a milestone in life and students should take pride in their personal achievements.”
A total of 53,926 who sat the Leaving Cert exams, which is less than half of 1% down on 2006, and Mr Langford paid tribute to examiners, superintendents, principals and teachers for the smooth running of the exams.
Mr Hanafin advised students that there were many education and training opportunities available outside the Central Applications Office (CAO) system.
She added: “I hope that students getting their results celebrate with their family and friends in a sensible way and enjoy their achievement while not putting themselves or others at any risk.”
The Samaritans said that young people shouldn’t be made to feel their whole life hangs in the balance based on their exam performance.
“Parents, teachers and friends need to help them take a step back today and remember life doesn’t stop,” a spokesman said.
“There are lots of options available to help them make a positive start to the next phase of their life, whatever that piece of paper says.”
Students can access their results from midday online at www.examinations.ie or by telephone on 1530 719 290 in the Republic of Ireland or 00 353 1 6885312 outside the state.
If candidates want to view their exam scripts they must apply to the SEC by August 21.
Students will be able to access the CAO online at www.CAO.ie from 6am on Monday to view their third level offers and apply for courses.
The National Parents’ Council (Post Primary) student helpline is at 1800 265 165.
The Samaritans can be contacted on 1850 60 90 90, (08457 90 90 90 in NI) for the price of a local call or email: jo@samaritans.org.
Fine Gael pointed to the stagnant levels of students taking maths, chemistry and physics compared to other increasingly popular subjects like biology.
“It is clear that the physical sciences are continuing to be squeezed out of the senior cycle, a reality that has been obvious for many years but which the Government has singularly failed to tackle,” said Opposition education spokeswoman Olwyn Enright.
She added: “In addition, the failure rates for both Higher and Ordinary Level maths have risen. Once again close to 12% of students attempting the Ordinary Level paper have not passed.”
The Offaly TD called on the Government to bring science participation at Junior Certificate level up to 100% and to ensure that all second-level schools offer the full range of science subjects to Leaving Certificate.
“Once again, the Leaving Certificate results have exposed the soft underbelly of Ireland’s supposed move towards a ’knowledge economy’.
“The figures speak for themselves, and show that the Government remains blind to the need for reform in how key subjects are taught and examined.”
