14% of Junior Cert students fail French

More than 1,500 pupils failed ordinary level French in this year’s Junior Certificate, it emerged today.

Some 14% of students flunked the European language exam, the same as last year, but around 730 fewer candidates sat the test.

Meanwhile the ’A’ grade percentage for higher level maths was strong, at 18%, while English at 10% and Irish at 11% remained consistent with 2006’s results.

The new more practical science exam, which replaced the old syllabus last year, saw a high 10% of students attain an A grade, the same as last year’s results but with around 4,000 more candidates.

There was a 15% failure rate in metal work, while 36% of the 91 students who sat the ordinary level Classical Studies paper and 9% of Art and Design students received an E, F, or NG (no grade).

Minister for Education Mary Hanafin congratulated the 57,000 pupils who sat the state exam.

“Results in all subjects are broadly in line with previous years,” she said.

“I am very encouraged to see more students taking the Science subject at Junior Cert, where over 87% of students take the subject.

“Over two thirds of those students taking Science are taking it at higher level.

“The practical elements of the exam, which account for up to a third of the marks, certainly takes pressure off students during the final exam.

“I think teachers, students and parents will see the benefit of this in the results obtained.

“Hopefully students will continue with Science subjects when planning their subjects for their Leaving Cert.

“It is also heartening to see an increasing number of students taking higher level Irish at Junior Cert and doing well in it,” she said.

Over 500,000 grades in 26 subjects will be delivered to students nationwide this morning.

Pupils will also be able to get their results online by logging onto www.examinations.ie

The overall numbers sitting the exam have dropped 0.7% since last year.

The deadline for results appeals to the State Examination Board is September 28.

Meanwhile business body IBEC called for the re-evaluation of the Junior Cert curriculum to improve pupils’ skills and enthusiasm for learning, prepare them for the world of work and tackle the issue of early school leavers.

Tony Donohoe, IBEC head of social and educational policy, said: “The Junior Cert puts too much emphasis on learning information off by heart.

“Education experts suggest that this fails to develop the multiple intelligences of the child.

“The junior cycle programme should be more child development focused, stressing social, emotional, physical and aesthetic development, as well as cognitive development.’

“Above all, the Junior Cert programme should stimulate an appetite for learning.

“Employers need an education system that gives young people the skills they require to be successful, in work as well as in life, and a desire to continue learning,” he said.

President Mary McAleese also sent congratulations to students receiving their results.

“Today represents a significant milestone in your formal education and I hope it will encourage you to keep striving to develop your fullest potential,” the President said.

“Ireland is fortunate to have so many responsible and civic-minded young people and as you celebrate your achievements today please make us even more proud of you still, by celebrating sensibly with care for yourselves and care for others.”