One of the successes of this year's Leaving Certificate has been the increased numbers and improved results in the Leaving Certificate Vocational (LCVP) and Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) programmes.
The LCVP is the normal Leaving Certificate programme with a concentration on technical and vocational subjects and modules. The LCA is a self-contained cross-curricular programme aimed primarily at preparing students for work.
This year more than 6,000 took the LCVP, compared to 2,300 last year. Some 18 per cent got distinctions (grades of above 85 per cent), 54 per cent got merit grades (above 70 per cent), and 21 per cent got pass grades (above 60 per cent).
The equivalent figures last year were 17 per cent distinctions, 52 per cent merit grades and 17 per cent pass grades.
The LCA course was completed by 1,760 students this year, compared to 753 last year.
Some 21 per cent got distinctions, 51.5 per cent got merit grades, and 15 per cent got pass grades.
Both teacher unions and principals singled out the students who had taken these two programmes for particular praise.
The ASTI president, Mr Michael Corley, said his union's latest projections suggested that the number opting for the Leaving Certificate Applied "could climb to as many as 10,000 students by the 1998-1999 school year and involve up to 200 schools, representing one in six of those sitting the Leaving Certificate".
About 5,500 students are currently studying the LCA programme.
On Tuesday, the Minister for Education and Science, Mr Martin, estimated that this would grow to 8,000 in the next school year.
The principal of Wilson's Hospital school in Westmeath, Mr Adrian Oughton, said the LCVP was particularly worthwhile for those students aiming for Institute of Technology courses, since its enterprise studies and preparation for work modules could add up to 80 points to their total.
The principal of Firhouse Community College in south-west Dublin, Mr Michael Geaney, said LCVP results should be recognised not just for entry to Institutes of Technology, as at present, but also for entry to universities.
Mr Sean Ashe, principal of Maynooth Post-Primary School, said LCVP was a "big bonus" for students aiming for Institute of Technology courses.
It was particularly helpful for them to have their course work component completed and assessed before the final exams started.
He was "very pleased that students who previously would have dropped out at Junior Certificate now have a Leaving Certificate, with the possibility of third-level education if they so wish".
Sister Eithne Woulfe, principal of St Louis's High School in Rathmines, Dublin, said LCVP was particularly valuable for students with more practical and analytical skills.
She spoke highly of the "different kinds of analytical skills" needed for the business initiative element of the course, which was tested in May before the final exams.
Meanwhile, the general secretary of the Irish Vocational Education Association, Mr Michael Moriarty, has urged all school leavers to give serious consideration to the wide range of Post Leaving Certificate courses offered by VECs, whose students will be grant-aided for the first time this year.