School report - Irish students making the grade

IT IS gratifying that Ireland has fared well in the latest OECD study which compares the number of low performing students in second-level schools in more than 60 countries.

Out of 64 countries surveyed, more than 50 have a higher proportion of low performing students in three categories combined compared to Ireland.

Almost 7% of 15 year olds in Ireland are classed as low performing in maths, reading, and science, compared to an OECD average of 11.6%.

The performance of Irish teens also compares favourably when the three subject areas are looked at individually.

Almost 17% of Irish 15 year olds are low performers in maths, compared to an OECD average of 23%. In reading 9.6% of Irish teens are low performers compared to 18% internationally.

In science, the report finds that 11% of Irish 15 year olds are low performers compared to an average of 18%.

The findings are a tribute to the students themselves but also to their parents and teachers.