Irish Examiner view: A welcome investigation into grade inflation in third-level education

Some 40% of University of Galway students are being awarded first-class honours now, compared to just 24% as recently as 2015

The HEA has published data showing a 23% rise in the number of students graduating from Irish third-level institutions with first-class honours. 

One of the central pillars of Ireland’s development is our education system, which has been credited for many years with a leading role in the nation’s economic growth.

The third-level sector in particular has been lauded for producing high-quality graduates capable of filling demanding roles at home as well as standing shoulder to shoulder with graduates from other jurisdictions.