For the 64,000 students who sat the Leaving Certificate, today and the next few weeks are a worrying time. For most, the gateway to the world of work will be via further and higher education. The good news is that there are places available for almost all of these students.
The majority of those who received their results today have applied for third-level places. About 35,000 places will be available but there are abundant opportunities for the remaining candidates. The further education and training sector has expanded rapidly in the past few years with 22,727 places sanctioned in the Post Leaving Certificate sector this year. Apprenticeships, nursing, CERT and Teagasc also offer worthwhile opportunities.
With much talk of skills shortages in the technical and computer areas, the drop in the number of Leaving Certificate candidates taking higher-level maths, physics and chemistry at Leaving Certificate is discouraging. The Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland has called on the Minister for Education and Science to provide schools with up-to-date science laboratories and equipment. Their last survey of 365 schools showed that 182 schools had a science lab, 201 had a chemistry lab and 208 had a physics lab. The union concludes, with some justification, that students are being deprived of "hands-on experience" and are being discouraged from studying science.
The Minister for Education and Science has, in turn, expressed concern at the decrease in numbers taking physics and chemistry and the number obtaining grade E or lower at ordinary level in these subjects. He has proposed a number of measures including the early introduction of the new syllabi in these subjects. The overall Leaving Certificate results are generally in line with previous years. However, there are continuing problems with ordinary-level Irish where the high failure rate continues.
Today marks the beginning of a new openness and transparency in the Leaving Certificate examining process. Students can request a second look at their marked scripts in 19 Leaving Certificate subjects. This will allow them to make an informed choice when it comes to seeking a recheck and it should boost confidence in the fairness of the system. There is also provision for students who appeal their results to request a look at their marked scripts in an additional 11 subjects. These subjects include a practical, oral or project component.
Over 1,700 candidates sat the final exams for the Leaving Certificate Applied this year. This is more than double the previous year's numbers and projections for the next school year show almost 8,000 students pursuing the LCA. These students have taken a brave decision to opt for a different but equally valid Leaving Certificate.
The first 752 students to complete the LCA left school last year and a preliminary study shows 43 per cent went into employment directly while a further 52 per cent went on to further education or training. Only three per cent remain unemployed. The success of the Leaving Certificate Applied and the Leaving Certificate Vocational are vital if the Government aspiration to retain 90 per cent of students in senior cycle is to be achieved.