Students will be able to get their Leaving Certificate results on the Internet for the first time this year, the Minister for Education, Dr Woods, has announced.
Results can be accessed by students from noon on Wednesday August 15th, using a PIN number and their examination number. The Internet address is www.examinations.ie
Each student will receive a letter with their PIN number from their school, which will arrive in schools today or tomorrow. Dr Woods said: "The new services are important customer service initiatives to facilitate those students who for whatever reason are unable to or do not wish to make it to the school." Results will also be available through schools as usual.
The announcement was broadly welcomed by the National Parents Council (Post Primary).
"There is enough pressure on young people and some may decide not to get their results in person. So we would welcome the confidentiality side of it," said a spokesman.
He said he hoped the system was protected properly by passwords. One concern was, "if the results were not great, a student could go into a depressed state and there may be no friends or relatives around to offer help".
The ASTI welcomed the move. A spokeswoman said the majority of students still liked going to their school, meeting their friends and teachers. The move was especially beneficial for students who were abroad, she said, and those who might have summer jobs.
Access to results on the Internet "builds on the hugely successful automated dial-up system introduced last year which was used by some 24,000 students," said the Minister. He added that the service would be continued this year.
Students can receive their results by phone, from noon on August 15th by dialing, from inside the State, 1530-719-290. From abroad, the number is 00353-17096646.