Young Irish are most likely in the European Union to struggle with foreign languages
Drop-off in numbers sitting French and German for Leaving Cert sparks concern
Second Level
News and advice on the second-level education system.
Six takeaways from Feeder Schools data: Education gaps remain despite progress
Feeder Schools data shows how Ireland’s children progress after completing second-level education.
‘I woke up one morning to 2,000 comments. I’ve had death threats’: How schools deal with social media fallout
Online hatred and toxicity can be hugely damaging, but are digital literacy classes really enough to tackle it?
Irish-medium schools continue to outperform
Irish-medium schools continue to outperform the national average in third-level progression but figures show cause for concern
Feeder Schools: Record numbers of students from disadvantaged areas progress to third level
Class gap persists with greater numbers from affluent areas attending college
Gap between State and fee-charging schools closes further
Just two of the 10 schools with the highest third-level progression rate in 2024 were fee-paying
Was Michael O’Leary right about teachers after all?
Teaching exodus continues, but educators are collectively doing little to change their lot
Quirks and questions on third-level progression rates
Brian Mooney outlines key aspects of third-level progression analysis and some common issues that arise
Pupils in Ireland among top maths performers in Europe, global study finds
East Asian countries such as Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea continue to dominate
Our boys are outperforming girls in maths and science at second level. Why?
New global study on maths and science performance reveals strengths and weaknesses in Irish education
‘It’s not just someone in a lab coat in a lab messing around with Bunsen burners’
Revamped Futurewize course opens a door to careers in science, technology engineering and maths to Junior Cycle students
Transition year gap: ‘Why is it only some schools get to go on trips abroad?’
The revolutionary programme introduced 50 years ago has proved hugely popular - but not all students have equal access to engaging and life-changing experiences
Crises, reforms and funding challenges: six key issues facing the next minster for education
The manifestos of the main political parties put an emphasis on boosting funding for the sector, but what will the new government be able to deliver?
‘Parents were apprehensive’: the school where ‘risky’ play is on the timetable
Some teachers believe climbing trees and other outdoor self-directed controlled risk-taking are crucial for fostering self-confidence and resilience
Sharp increase in autism diagnoses to require thousands of additional special needs places in schools
Official estimates point to a near doubling in proportion of children with autism in need of support at school within five years
Explainer: why are second level teachers protesting outside schools today?
Unions want Leaving Cert reforms to be delayed, but Norma Foley says millions is being invested to support changes
Phone pouches: What happens when a school locks its students’ mobiles away?
Minister for Education Norma Foley’s funding for phone pouches has been controversial, but the solution has proved transformative for St Raphaela’s school in Co Dublin
Our school admissions system is broken. Many parents are in for a rude awakening
Families who expected a straightforward enrolment process are grappling with the harsh reality of Ireland’s oversubscribed schools
My daughter wants to study engineering at college. I’m not sure it’s right for her
A degree in this area opens a vast array of career pathways and is highly valued around the world
Secondary school accused of demanding student’s ‘submission’ to gender identity in row over ear piercing
Boy returned after summer break with stud in ear and was told to remove stud, cover it with plaster or get second ear pierced
Teachers to protest next week in bid to delay Leaving Cert reform
ASTI and TUI say school day will not be disrupted by planned demonstrations
‘We need extra time now’: Students with additional needs call for State exam changes
Many neurodiverse pupils are high achievers, but the education assessment system can present them with unique challenges
Grind schools are booming. Would they offer any advantage in a properly resourced education system?
Schools are a dense web of educational experiences and social relations. How well does the grind-school offering compare on this front?
Learning outcomes slide for Irish pupils, report finds
Education levels have stagnated or slowly declined across much of the world, says Unesco
Our Government aspires to boost education through Irish - yet student numbers have fallen for the first time in 50 years
Parents should have a right to choose Irish-medium education for their children - otherwise, the status quo will never change sufficiently to meet demand
A super-charged technology threatens to destroy the integrity of the Leaving Cert
Additional assessment components worth 40% are being introduced at a time when AI tools are developing rapidly and relentlessly
Dozens of pupils unable to secure school places using grant for nine hours’ tuition at home
Enrolment pressure at second level most acute in Greater Dublin Area
Concern over ‘competence and confidence’ of some teachers in all-Irish schools
Minister for Education urged to ‘urgently’ release draft of long-awaited policy on Irish language education
‘We’re fully booked’: How grind schools became big business
Rugby stars such as Brian O’Driscoll and Caelan Doris are among the investors in a booming private tuition sector which promises top grades in the Leaving Cert points race. But is it piling too much pressure on students?
Parents advised to apply to ‘multiple’ secondary schools due to pressure on places
As post-primary enrolments climb to highest level on record, Department of Education says there are sufficient school places in most areas
Female school principals face much higher rates of bullying and violence, study finds
Study based on data collected from more than 600 school leaders in Irish second level schools
I see students in class watching sport on YouTube or shopping on Amazon. The pull of internet distraction is exhausting
Banning phones in schools is just the start – we need to do more to educate pupils on fighting the urge of distraction when they feel uncomfortable or bored
Free schoolbooks extended to Leaving Cert and free meals for all primary pupils from next year
Budget 2025: Last year’s ‘one-off’ €1,000 cut to third level fees extended into the new academic year
Some Deis schools no longer qualify. This undermines the entire programme
Inequities in Irish education policy, which have been ignored for so long, will not be addressed any time soon
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