Simon Harris optimistic half of students will receive their first-choice college placement

Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris says he is working to ensure 50% of students receive their first-choice college placement. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Higher Education Minister Simon Harris has committed to maintaining previous college course ratios, whatever the outcome of the Leaving Cert discussions.

The ASTI teaching union said it was withdrawing from discussions last night on the Leaving Cert 2021, pending a guarantee that talks will focus on planning for examinations, rather than calculated grades.