Over 1,000 Offaly students find out Junior Cert results today

A total of 1,147 students in Offaly - 570 female and 577 male - will find out today how they got on in the Junior Cert exams.

Countrywide almost 60,000 get results today, with the split between male and female students almost equal.

This year the number of students sitting the exams numbered the highest in recent years, and was an increase of 1.7 per cent on last year’s number.

As in 2012, English, Maths, CSPE, Geography, History, Science and Irish were the top seven subjects.

Results will be available in schools throughout today, while results will be available online from 4pm on www.examinations.ie.

Speaking today Minister Quinn sent good wishes to all students finding out how they did.

“I sincerely hope that the results today reflect the hard work that you put into your studies,” he said.

The Minister also added that he’s especially pleased to see a positive trend of more students sitting higher level Maths. Fifty-two per cent of learners sat the higher paper in this year’s exams, compared to 48 per cent last year. Participation in higher level Science is also up, with 79 per cent taking the paper this year.

The Education Minister isn’t the only one sending good wishes to students getting results today. ASTI president Sally Maguire has congratulated all students, describing the Junior Cert as invaluable when it comes to preparing for the senior cycle and the Leaving Cert.

However she added that she’s deeply concerned about plans to abolish the Junior Cert. “Under the Minister’s Junior Cycle reform proposals young people who spend five to six years participating in second-level education will not experience State Certificate Examinations until they reach the Leaving Certificate,” she said.

“In addition, the Minister’s plans mean that school-administered exams at Junior Cycle will be graded by students’ own teachers, and students will receive a certificate of achievement from their school rather than a universally-recognised State Certificate. The ASTI disagrees with this approach because we believe that every student is entitled to a fair, impartial and transparent State Certificate to record their achievement at Junior Cycle. A school certificate based on grades awarded by students’ own teachers does not have the same status or validity as an independent State Certificate.”

Ms Maguire also urged students to act responsibly while celebrating, a call that was echoed by the Irish Second-level Students’ Union (ISSU).

“Like lots of students across the country, I too will be receiving my Junior Cert exam results after three years of hard work that has led up to them,” ISSU president Mark Caffrey said, adding that he hopes the increase in numbers taking higher level Maths will continue into the senior cycle.

“I’d like to congratulate all students on their hard-earned results, and encourage everyone to stay safe if they are celebrating tonight,” he concluded.

Anyone who wishes to appeal their results can do so through their school no later than Friday, September 27.