Good marks for science in Junior Cert results

Over 60,000 Junior Cert students got results today which showed that failure rates are down despite concerns over days lost due to the ASTI strike this year.

Dr Woods

The number of pupils sitting the exam this year was 1,300 less than last year.

The Minister for Education, Dr Michael Woods, said results were in line with those of previous years, with an improvement in science subjects.

The failure rate in ordinary level maths was 11.5 per cent this year, but this compares with a failure rate of almost 17 per cent rate in ordinary level maths in this year's Leaving Cert.

There was a 15 per cent failure rate in Junior Cert ordinary level French.

Around 1,300 students were not awarded marks in Civics because they submitted portfolio work which bore `striking similarities' to that of other pupils.

The Department of Education confirmed that marks given to those students concerned in the Civic, Social and Political Education (CSPE) subject were based on written work only, because of concerns over the portfolio work.

For those that may not have been able to get their post or get to their school for the results today, an Internet service is available for students to get their results from 4 p.m. at www.examinations.ie.

Students will be able to access their results by using a PIN number and their examination number.

As for the traditional post-results celebrations, the president of the secondary teacher's union ASTI, Ms Catherine Fitzpatrick, urged students to acknowledge their results in an "appropriate manner".