Tánaiste congratulates students on 2010 Leaving Certificate results

Posted on 18/08/10 by Mary Coughlan

The Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan TD, today congratulated students, parents and teachers following the release of the Leaving Certificate examination results for 2010. ‘Students across the country getting their results today should be proud of their achievements in the Leaving Certificate examinations, and look forward to the future with confidence', said the Tánaiste.

57,839 Leaving Certificate candidates will get their results this morning.

Of these, 51,279 are school-leavers, 3,737 are external candidates and 2,823 are repeat candidates.

Overall, 38,885 sat the established Leaving Certificate, 15,596 sat the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme and 3,358 sat the Leaving Certificate Applied programme.

The Tánaiste urged students and parents to carefully consider their options and to seek advice where they’re uncertain. The options for school-leavers have never been broader. Students can consider options in universities, institutes of technology, colleges of education, post-leaving certificate and FÁS courses, and private colleges.

Maths and Science

‘Overall, I’m pleased to see that the results are broadly in line with previous years. I am particularly pleased that the results for Project Maths are in line with general trends', said the Tánaiste.

This year some 1,818 candidates in 24 schools sat a different Paper 2 in Mathematics, as part of the Project Maths initiative. This is part of a major programme of reform designed to encourage better understanding of maths, to reinforce the practical relevance of maths to everyday life, and to ensure better continuity between primary and second level, and between junior and senior cycle. The initiative started in 2008 and is being piloted in 24 schools, where students sat their first exam this year, covering Strands 1 and 2 of the 5 strands of Mathematics.

The curriculum changes will be phased in over three years. Mainstreaming in all schools will begin in September 2010, supported by a national programme of professional development for teachers which began in 2009. Project Maths is being supported by intensive investment in professional development for teachers. Some €3m was invested in this area in 2009, with a further €5m this year. The programme will continue to at least 2013.

The results for the 1,818 candidates in the 24 Project Maths schools are broadly in line with national trends. A welcome development is that 18.5% took higher level in these schools, compared with 16.0% nationally. The EFNG rate at Ordinary level is also lower, 5.4% in Project Maths compared with 10% nationally. The Tánaiste said: 'This is an encouraging start to the initiative, and I would like to thank all the students, teachers, trainers and curriculum development staff who have played such an active role in the evolution of Project Maths to date.'

In science, there have also been further increases in participation rates in Chemistry and Biology, but participation in Physics was down 0.4% to 12.4% this year. Engineering and Technology have also had increases in participation rates at higher level. 'Science, technology, engineering and mathematics are considered to be the engines of growth and innovation in the smart economy, and I would urge students who have performed well in the examinations in these subjects to consider careers in these areas,' said the Tánaiste.

Bonus Points for Higher Level Mathematics in the Leaving Certificate

Legally, the criteria for admission to higher education institutions are a matter for decision by the colleges themselves.

The Tánaiste has made her preference for the introduction of a points bonus for achievement in higher level mathematics clear and has written to the higher education institutions in that regard. The higher education institutions are, as a result, currently considering the question. Some institutions have already confirmed their intention to introduce such a points bonus and the question is under active consideration in others. Further details will emerge over the coming weeks, when institutions have completed their internal considerations.

At this stage, students who are now entering senior cycle in September should be aware of the possibility of additional benefits of taking mathematics at higher level in terms of CAO applications from 2012 onwards and should take this possibility into account in making their Leaving Certificate subject choices.

Problems relating to the running of the examinations

The State Examinations Commission has presented a report to the Tánaiste on the problems which arose in the operation of the examinations this year. The report relates to a collation problem with the Higher Level Leaving Certificate Accounting paper which impacted on 217 candidates in 19 examination centres, and an error in the Junior Certificate Business paper at Higher level, where cash flow figures were incorrectly transcribed into the electronic version of the examination paper, following adjustments to the draft. In both cases the problems occurred as a result of human error, and the State Examinations Commission has apologised for the distress and disruption caused to students.

The report will be posted to the websites of the Department and the State Examinations Commission.

The Tánaiste said she is satisfied that the SEC is taking appropriate steps to review and strengthen where appropriate of its protocols and procedures to reduce the risk of a recurrence of these errors in the future. The report outlines the steps which have been taken by SEC to review the results for Higher Level Accounting in the schools affected by the error, and has concluded that there is no evidence that the printing error impacted negatively on the candidates in the centres concerned.

Candidates who wish to appeal their results will be able to avail of the normal appeals processes.

General

‘I hope students getting their results today celebrate sensibly with their families and friends,’ said the Tánaiste. 'They should celebrate with pride, but also take care not to put themselves or others at risk.'

Accessing results

Students can access their examination results online at http://www.examinations.ie/ from midday on Wednesday, quoting their Personal Identification Number (PIN) and examination number.

Results are also available from midday (quoting PIN and examination numbers) by phoning 1530 719 290 for callers in the Republic of Ireland or 00353 1 6885312 for callers from outside the Republic.

Students will be able to access the CAO online at http://www.cao.ie/ from 6am on Monday, August 22, to view their third-level offers and apply for courses.

Key dates

If candidates want to view their scripts, they should apply by Tuesday, August 24th.

Applications should be made to the school except in the case of external candidates who should follow the process outlined in the instructions accompanying their provisional results.

Viewing of scripts: this will take place in schools on Friday, September 3rd, and on Saturday, September 4th.

Submission of appeals: all applications must be submitted (through the school except in the case of external candidates) to arrive in the State Examinations Commission by 5pm, Wednesday, September 8th.

Helplines: National Parents' Council (Post-Primary) Helpline [1800 265 165] and The Irish Times College Helpline [1800 946 942] are available to provide support and advice from professional counsellors from the Institute of Guidance Counsellors.