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MINISTER FOR EDUCATION Ruairí Quinn has offered his congratulations to the tens of thousands of Leaving Cert students who receive their exam results today.
Over 55,800 students sat this year’s Leaving Cert, and it was the first time that two of the five parts of the new Project Maths syllabus were examined at that level.
“I hope the results they receive today reflect the work they have put into their studies over the past two years,” Minister Quinn said in his message to students.
“Enjoy the celebrations tonight and look out for one another,” Minister Quinn added. “You deserve to celebrate your achievements and to look forward to the next chapter in your lives.”
“While much of our congratulations and good wishes must go to the students who receive their exam results today, I also want to pay tribute to their parents, families, teachers and school communities who have helped them achieve this milestone today.”
The minister also thanked the State Exams Commission for overseeing the examinations process.
Quinn encouraged any students who may be disappointed with their results to consider other options open to them such as FETAC awards:
The Leaving Cert is a significant rite of passage in Irish life and will open new doors of opportunity in education and training for our young people. However, it is not the only avenue into the next stage of your life.
A helpline opens at 10am this morning to offer advice for Leaving Certificate students, their families and teachers on exam-related issues such as rechecks, repeats, the points system and CAO offers. The Exams Helpline 2012 is being manned by professional guidance counsellors.
Meanwhile, Alcohol Action Ireland is urging parents of Leaving Cert students to talk to their children about their plans for marking their results.
“We would encourage parents to ask students how they’re feeling about their results and to discuss with them their plans for the evening and to find out if these plans involve drinking or not, who they are going with and how they are going to get home,” Alcohol Action Ireland director Fiona Ryan said.
“All of these are routine questions parents ask but exam celebrations for a lot of teenagers can be a departure from what they would normally do. It is also worth reminding them that if they do choose to drink and find themselves in difficulties it is better they contact home immediately rather than worry about the repercussions of their drinking.”
“There is a real and immediate obligation on alcohol retailers – pubs, nightclubs, supermarkets and off-licenses – to ensure that they are not selling alcohol to underage drinkers,” she added.
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My son collects his today. I’m more nervous than him!!
aw, that’s sweet. in fairness my parents were in a heap the morning of mine too! and when i got my degree too. that’s mammies and daddies for ya! the best of luck to your son!
LC Students did well on their own merit, in spite of the cuts & backtracking by Quinners.
Education standards will decline as long as these Blueshirt/Smoked Salmon Socialists shower are in charge.
completely disagree, these blue shirts and smoked salmon socialists are simply playing the hand they were dealt when they came into power, I don’t blame them, I blame the shower of idiots who went before them and I can’t understand how people other than fianna fail supporters can’t see this, I’m a neutral when it comes to politics and feel that if everyone else was neutral we might have a decent political system, but no, all we have is a society of cronies, where we are today started with Charles haughey, like it or not, it is the truth
For goodness sake, let these young people have their moment!! No bloody politics!!
Why don’t we get the exact number of students who will receive results? Not ‘over’ or ‘nearly’. Just curious.
does it matter?
You’re right Marie, never thought about it but yeah, surely they know the exact number?
You deserve to celebrate your achievements, but, the country will always need minimum wage operators to so don’t worry…
Aer lingus passenger numbers will be up next quarter not funny but true
Correct me if I’m wrong & I know you will but isn’t it actually illegal to sell drink to U-18s and not merely an obligation?
It is. But most people are 18 by the time they get their LC results.
Most students being over 18 was not the issue. It was the comment in the article by the director of Alcohol Action Ireland who said that shopkeepers were “obliged” not to see alcohol to those under 18.
Many students have the official Garda-issued I.D stating their age. The fact that this I.D is issued on presentation of a photocopied birthcert is another topic for discussion! Even the Community Games officials require the original tamper-proof birthcert.
like Roddie and I’m sure many other parents we both had a shocking night thinking the worst etc but have to say I couldnt be prouder of my son and also my daughter that repeated her Irish, as they now both have the results they so badly wanted.
my son is 18 and will be celebrating with us first then meeting up with his friends. I am happy in the knowledge that he knows his limits, he has been having A drink since he was 17 in our company and since his 18th has gone out with friends to socialise, sometimes drinking and sometimes not. What amazes me is how children of 17-18 can arrive home after drinking themselves into a stupor and parents either not acting or more worryingly not caring!
to all those students heading out to celebrate have a great night but please be careful and come home safely :)
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