57,929 secondary students have received their Leaving Certificate results in schools across Ireland this morning. Reports indicate an increase in failure rates at higher level maths, while most subjects remain similar to other years.
The Leaving Certificate results were watched closely across the country this morning. Minister for Education Jan O’Sullivan congratulated the students, saying that this was “the end of a long wait for you, your families and your teachers.” She commented that while many would go onto the “traditional” route of higher education, many would go on to “the hugely varied opportunities across the further education sector”.
The leader of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) Máire G. Ní Chiarba also observed that “a wide range of education and life opportunities lie ahead for each and every student receiving Leaving Certificate results.” She encouraged students to celebrate safely and to stay in contact with friends and family.
Since its introduction, the number of students pursuing the higher level paper in maths has increased. The results for higher level maths show that the growth in the number of candidates over recent years has finally plateaued, remaining at 27 per cent this year, the same as last year. This increase came from the introduction of 25 bonus Leaving Certificate points for candidates who successfully passed the higher level paper in maths in 2012, a move that was designed to encourage students to sit the higher level paper.
This morning’s reports indicate an increase in the failure rate for higher level maths. 5.2 per cent of higher level maths students failed this year, up from 4.2 per cent last year and 3.3 per cent in 2013, according to The Irish Times. ASTI General Secretary Pat King said that the changes “could well be explained by the fact that a greater number of students took the higher level paper in 2015. As the changes are marginal they require more intensive analysis and cannot be directly attributed to the introduction of Project Maths.”
At ordinary level maths, there was an increase in the number of students achieving A, B and C grades. This result comes despite student and teacher dissatisfaction with the paper in June. The State Examinations Commission (SEC) indicated that today’s results are “broadly in line with those of previous years.”
The National Parents’ Council are operating a helpline today for students and parents seeking support and advice. They can be reached at 1800 265 165.
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