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Mar 13, 2023

Almost half of Leaving Cert students do not pursue a CAO course

Half of Leaving Cert students go straight to college on a CAO-listed course, according to newly-released data. While the CAO grabs most of the attention, almost half of school-leavers pursue other education and training routes.

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Mar 13, 2023

Radical new reforms of Leaving Cert Irish hit a roadblock

Plans for a radical overhaul of Leaving Cert Irish will be going back to the drawing board. Proposals for a new model for teaching and learning the subject were met with considerable concern among teachers, students and Irish language organisations.

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Dec 6, 2022

Junior Cycle students in Ireland finally get exam results

Junior Cycle students heaved a sigh of relief as they collected their much-delayed exam results today, with many recalling how Covid made their learning and study much more difficult.

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Nov 14, 2022

In Ireland, recruitment of Junior and Leaving Cert examiners under way

The State Examinations Commission (SEC) has said that recruitment is already under way for examiners for next year's Junior and Leaving Certificate exams, as there is a major shortage of examiners and citing that the work is not attractive enough.

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Nov 10, 2022

Junior Cert results confirmed for 23 November

The delay is being blamed, in part, on a shortage of examiners and the prioritization given to marking the Leaving Certificate.

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Sep 23, 2022

350 Ukrainian students in Ireland begin equivalent of Leaving Cert exams

More than 350 Ukrainian students in Ireland are sitting the equivalent of the Leaving Cert for college entry. The online exams, which will run for six days, are being hosted in Trinity College Dublin this week, and in Dublin City University.

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Sep 5, 2022

In Ireland, unqualified teachers correcting State Examinations 'less than ideal'

Unqualified teachers correcting Leaving Certificate and Junior Certificate exam papers this year is "less than ideal" but the highest standards will be applied when it comes to correction, according to the General Secretary of the ASTI.

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Aug 24, 2022

Ireland's Leaving Cert results delayed

This year's Leaving Certificate results will be made available to students in September.

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Aug 17, 2022

Thousands sitting Leaving and Junior certificate exams in Ireland

After two years of severe disruption, this year marks the first full return to traditional written June exams.

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Jun 3, 2022

Ireland's Leaving Cert overhaul: More assessments, new subjects, less focus on written exams

Minister for Education Norma Foley has announced major reform of Senior Cycle, including two new subjects, and 40% of grades given for continuous assessment other than written exams.

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May 19, 2022

Ireland Leaving Cert oral exams postponed for 500 pupils

Around 500 Leaving Certificate students had their Irish oral examinations postponed this weekend due to examiners being unable to attend because of high levels of Covid in society.

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May 10, 2022

Ireland Leaving Cert exams to run 'as normal' in 2022

The Leaving Cert is expected to run “as normal” in 2022, with the Department of Education currently considering potentially running oral exams around the Easter break again this academic year.

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Mar 29, 2022

Many European Universities Are Helping Ukrainian Students – Here’s How

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which caused about 780 fatalities for less than 30 days, about 3.1 million people were forced to flee their home country, leave their loved ones and give up jobs and studies to seek international protection in European countries.

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Dec 21, 2021

Error found in Leaving Cert Applied grading process

An error has been discovered in this year's Leaving Certificate grading process. The State Examinations Commission has said that correction of the error has led to an increase in the marks of all 1,800 students.

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Nov 16, 2021

Changes announced to 2022 Junior and Leaving Cert exams due to Covid

The Department of Education has released a subject-by-subject breakdown of the adjustments being made ahead of the new academic term. According to the department, some contingency for future learning loss that may occur during the 2021/22 school year is also built in.

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Nov 11, 2021

Leaving Cert: How 2021 grades compare to previous years and a reminder of the 2020 CAO points

Big jumps in the proportion of top grades will translate directly into points for college entry and create razor-sharp competition for popular courses in next week’s CAO Round 1 offers. Because of the Covid pandemic, the class of 2021 had the option of receiving accredited grades, based on teachers/school estimated marks, doing exams or both.

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Oct 14, 2021

Leaving Cert students to get their results later than usual on September 3

Leaving Cert results will issue to more than 60,000 students on Friday, September 3. It is later than the traditional mid-August date, but slightly earlier than 2020, when calculated grades, now called accredited grades, were used for the first time. A later release of Leaving Cert results will mean a tighter timeframe for the CAO college offer entry process, but colleges are putting plans in place.

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Sep 15, 2021

Leaving Cert students asked to limit social contacts ahead of exams in Ireland

Leaving Cert students have been asked to limit their social contacts and avoid social gatherings in preparation of their exams. Students who are diagnosed with Covid-19, are a close contact or a confirmed case, have symptoms of Covid-19 or are self-isolating or restricting their movements will not be allowed to sit the examinations.

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Sep 7, 2021

US company to design Leaving Cert accredited grades system

According to the Department of Education, a US company has been awarded a contract to provide coding and psychometric expertise in the delivery of this year's accredited grades to Leaving Certificate students. The Leaving Certificate examinations and accredited grades process will be conducted by the State Examinations Commission, and legislation is currently being developed to enable this.

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Sep 7, 2021

Accredited Grades to be generated for all Leaving Cert students

Accredited Grades will be generated for all of this year's Leaving Certificate students, even in subjects where they have not opted to receive them. The move is part of contingency planning to prepare for possible disruption to the June exams due to Covid outbreaks or other factors.

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Ireland

Overview

Éire (The Republic of Ireland) is located on an island in the North Atlantic Ocean off the western coast of England. It is bordered by Northern Ireland, the Irish Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, the Celtic Sea, and St. George's Channel. The population is 4,156,119 and the literacy rate is 99%. The Irish Constitution states that the Irish language Gaelige is the first official language, and English is the second official language. However, English is the first language of the vast majority of the residents of Ireland, and Gaelige is the first language in a very small area of the country, mostly along the western coast known as the Gaeltacht which encompasses parts of Counties Cork, Donegal, Kerry, Mayo, Meath and Waterford. The study of Gaelige is compulsory for all students from the ages 6 to 16.

The first Celtic tribes arrived in the area of present-day Ireland between 600-150 BC. Norse invasions began in the 8th century and continued until King Brian Boru defeated the Danes in 1014. In the 12th century, the English began to lead invasions on the island which led to centuries of rebellions.

In 1921, the 26 southern counties gained independence, and the 6 northern countries remained a part of the United Kingdom. On December 6, 1922, the Irish Free State was established, and on December 29, 1937, a new Constitution established the Republic of Ireland.

In 1949, Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth, and, in 1973, joined the European Community.

Education

Oversight and Regulation of Education

The Department of Education and Skills is the national government body that oversees education in Ireland. It has direct responsibility for oversight of education through the secondary level.

The Higher Education Authority (HEA) oversees the governance and regulation of the higher education system in Ireland, including planning and development in the university sector. Higher education is provided by Universities, Institutes of Technology and Colleges of Education.

The Qualifications and Quality Assurance Ireland (QQI) has responsibility for oversight of the sector of further education and training, which includes postsecondary non-university education and training. QQI quality assures programs and providers in this sector. This function includes the validation of postsecondary programs of study and the awarding of degrees based on study in validated programs at postsecondary institutions that do not have degree-awarding authority. QQI also manages the Irish National Framework of Qualifications and hosts the NARIC Ireland, which facilitates the recognition of foreign qualifications in Ireland and advises on the recognition of Irish credentials abroad.

Ain Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna oversees the country's education system.

Primary Education

Education is free and compulsory from ages 6 to 16. Bunscoil (Primary school) is 6 years beginning at age 6. There is no examination or certificate issued at the completion of primary school.

Secondary Education

Free secondary education did not occur until 1967, although free secondary vocational education has been available since 1930. Secondary level education is offered at several types of schools: secondary, vocational, and community and comprehensive schools. Secondary schools are all privately-owned and managed, and receive no state funding. Vocational schools are administered by local Vocational Education Committees, and receive 93% of their funding from the State Community and comprehensive schools are administered by local Boards of Management and receive 100% of their funding from the State. They combine academic and technical education.

The Timthriall Sóisareach (Junior Cycle) is 3 years. Upon completion, students sit for the Teastas Sóisearach (Junior Certificate) examination which is an external examination. Most subjects on the exams are offered at 2 levels: ordinary or higher, and a few offer a third “foundation” level. Students generally sit for 5 subject examinations.

Some students opt for a Idirbhliain (“Transition Year”) at the end of Junior Cycle. It is compulsory at some schools, but is optional at most. The curriculum is determined by the local schools and always includes a work experience. The Transition Year is becoming more popular every year.

The Timthriall Shinsearach (Senior Cycle) is 2 years and has general and vocational options. The Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme was introduced in 1989, and the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme was introduced in 1995 for students whose needs are not met by the Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Vocational Programmes. Students in vocational and applied programs have a work experience as part of their program. Upon completion of the Senior Cycle, students sit for one of 3 external examinations: Teastas Shinsearach (Leaving Certificate), Leaving Certificate Vocational, or Leaving Certificate Applied, depending on their program of study. Students sit for 6 subjects on the Leaving Certificate examination, including Irish. The Leaving Certificate Vocational examination is similar to the Leaving Certificate examination, but it includes a high vocational content. Students sit for 5 subjects, including 2 vocational subjects. The Leaving Certificate Applied examination prepares students for adult and working life. It does not lead to post-secondary study.

The results of Leaving Certificate examinations determine where students will study at the post-secondary level as well as State higher education scholarship eligibility.

Post-Secondary Education

There are many post-secondary opportunities in Ireland, and more than 55% of secondary school graduates go on for further study. The first university, the University of Dublin, was established in 1592 and is best known for Trinity College. Queen's University was established in 1849 as the country's second university. The National University of Ireland, with constituent colleges University College Dublin (UCD), University College Cork (UCC) and University College Galway (UCG), was established in 1908. By 1967, the need for non-university, post-secondary education was recognized, and regional technical colleges (now known as institutes of technology), including the Dublin Institute of Technology, were created.

First Cycle

Admission to undergraduate programs at State post-secondary institutions is coordinated by the Central Applications Office (CAO) based on points earned on the various Leaving Certificate examinations. On the application, students list up to 10 preferred post-secondary courses. Universities do not require and do not extend admission interviews. Many private institutions are now also a part of the CAO. Admission to graduate programs is handled by the institution directly.

Institutes of technology and regional colleges offer programs in applied fields of study, including business, engineering, computer science, art, design, science, hotel management, nursing, arts, and humanities. Two-year programs lead to a Higher Certificate, three-year programs lead to Bachelor's (Ordinary) and four-year programs lead to the Bachelor's (Honours) diploma. Until June 2006, institutes of technology offered a 2-year National Certificate and a 3-year National Diploma. The National Diploma could also be completed in 1 year following a National Certificate.

There are 4 universities supported by the State: The National University of Ireland, the University of Dublin, the University of Limerick, and Dublin City University. A fifth university, St. Patrick's College Maynooth, is supported and recognized by the Vatican. All diplomas for programs completed at a constituent college of the National University of Ireland (NUI) as well as the National University of Ireland Galway and the National University of Ireland Maynooth are issued by NUI and not by the constituent college.

Undergraduate programs are 3 - 4 years, depending on the field of study. Three-year programs award a Bachelor's (Ordinary) and four-year programs award a Bachelor's (Honours).

Second and Third Cycle

Graduate programs include a 1-year Postgraduate Diploma, and master's programs that are 1 - 2 years of study and require defense of a thesis. Doctoral programs include the Doctor of Philosophy which requires 3 years of study and defense of a dissertation, and the Doctor of Science (DSc) and the Doctor of Literature (D.Litt.) which require 4 years of study and defense of a dissertation.

Teacher Training

Primary school teachers are trained in a 3-year program leading to a Bachelor of Education at one the 5 teacher training colleges in Ireland, although some colleges may offer a 4-year Bachelor of Education (Honours) program. The 4th year is taken part-time while the students are full-time teachers. The majority of secondary school teachers are trained in the “consecutive” model of training. In this model, students must hold a bachelor's degree and then enroll in a one-year training program leading to a Higher Diploma in Education. The other option is the “concurrent” model which is generally taken by students who will be teaching applied subjects such as home economics, art, physical education, etc. In this model, students take extensive coursework in their proposed field of teaching as well as teacher education coursework. This is a 4-year program leading to a Bachelor of Education (Honours).


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