The Leaving Certificate class of 2002 has fared well in their exams; grades n many subjects appear to have improved marginally and the number gaining onours in higher level papers has increased.
It is an impressive achievement; most students have performed well despite the continuing rumbles from the ASTI dispute, some very difficult papers - especially in biology and English - and, not least, the distraction of the World Cup during the sitting of the exams.
But there are some worrying straws in the wind. The number failing science subjects at ordinary level - physics, biology and chemistry - remains high. This trend confirms a pattern evident last year. Fewer than one in six Leaving Cert students are now taking physics or chemistry and yesterday's results will hardly encourage fifth year students to take these options. The figure for maths - where over 14 per cent failed Ordinary Level - is also a cause for concern. Without a good grounding in maths, it can be difficult for students to cope with computer and related courses at third-level. Inevitably, many will drop out of college or move to alternative courses.
The other striking feature about the Leaving Cert results is how similar many of the figures are to those of previous years. In some cases, the percentages gaining honours, or failing certain subjects, are virtually identical. There is evidence to suggest that examiners appear to be working within very narrow parameters. The imperative, it seems, is to avoid any massive deviation from previous years. This shores up the Department's contention that each year's papers are of broadly similar standard. But the practice makes it difficult to answer a question which is of interest to every student, every parent and, indeed, every taxpayer - are overall standards in our secondary school improving or declining? It might also be said that the amount of statistical information flowing from the Department about the exams is scant.
For now, the focus for most Leaving Cent students will shift to next Tuesday when the CAO publishes the first round of college offers. The decline in the number taking the Leaving Cert should ease the pressure of the points race. The explosion in college courses - up sevenfold in the past 20 year - should also reduce the pressure on points. In broad terms, fewer students are chasing more places. Three-quarters of those who sat the Leaving Cert can expect to gain a place in one of their top three choices. In most cases, students have never had it so good.
The Government and industry will be dismayed, however, by the dramatic fall-off in students taking computer studies, on the basis of first preference figures to the CAO. Despite the lay-off in some low-skill plants, the Republic has a vibrant and expanding hi-tech sector. It requires students with an interest in science and computers. For our long-term economic welfare these trends need to be reversed - and quickly.