More students than ever completing Leaving Cert

Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 08/11/2012. More students than ever completing Leaving Cert

Tags: Secondary School News

The number of students completing their second level education has risen to the highest ever level, according to a new report from the Department of Education.

Minister for Education and Skills Ruairi Quinn announced the results of the Report on Retention Rates of Pupils in Second Level Schools, claiming he is "extremely heartened" by the findings.

In the last 11 years, the percentage of students sitting the Leaving Cert has risen by almost nine per cent to 90.2 per cent.

Meanwhile, there has been a significant rise in the number of young men staying on at second level, with a 16 per cent rise noted in the same period.

Mr Quinn commented: "The contraction in the labour market has meant that for many young people there are more reasons to stay on in education, but it is also important to recognise measures taken by this Department."

It was suggested by the Minister that the extra resources provided to second level schools under the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools programme have "played their part".

Written by Donal Walsh ADNFCR-2163-ID-801484326-ADNFCR

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SchoolDays

(08-11-2012 13:01)

Commenting on the publication of the Report on Retention Rates by the Department of Education and Skills, ASTI General Secretary Pat King said:

This is a good news story which reflects the commitment of teachers and schools to delivering an inclusive education service that values every pupil regardless of socio-economic status, family background or ability. The findings are complemented by many international reports that cite Ireland as one of the top performers worldwide for school completion. Ireland is also a top performer in terms of the progression of disadvantaged students to third level education. Finishing school greatly enhances a young persons life opportunities and makes a vital contribution to a countrys social wellbeing. In this regard, we note the finding that schools which have received additional resources have been able to improve their school completion rate. While a limited number of schools are eligible for this support, it clearly demonstrates the importance of investing in education.

However, Mr King said the future performance of the second-level education service is in jeopardy due to years of austerity budgets that have targeted schools. Schools have experienced the loss of teaching staff, larger classes, less subject choice, and the loss of key specialist teachers such as guidance counsellors, home school liaison teachers, resource teachers and English language support teachers. While vulnerable students are disproportionately impacted by these kind of cuts, it is important to remember that any student can become vulnerable at any time, and that there are vulnerable students in every second-level school in the country. These are the students most at risk of school drop-out and/ or underperformance.