THE introduction of foundation level courses in Irish and maths has ensured that fewer Leaving Certificate students are failing at Ordinary level, according to the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA).
Congratulating students on their Leaving Cert results, the NCCA said all courses had been reviewed over the past few years. Improved pupil performances were now becoming evident.
The council said the new courses were better suited to different student aptitudes. While Higher level courses continued to be demanding, they were now more accessible to a wider range of students.
The NCCA's chief executive, Mr Albert O Ceallaigh, said new courses would be introduced in all Leaving Cert courses, including English and the science subjects, on a phased basis over the next few years. This would ensure their introduction did not make excessive demands on schools.
He said the Leaving Cert Applied programme, which emphasises practical skills and work experience, would be examined for the first time next week.