More than 70,000 students receive Leaving Certificate results
Fewer top marks were awarded as grade deflation continues to affect overall results, according to the figures.
More than 70,000 Leaving Certificate students have received their exam results on Friday.
A total of 70,411 students across the country got their results from the State Examinations Commission (SEC), an increase of 15% compared to two years ago.
Figures supplied by the SEC show there were fewer top marks awarded as grade deflation continues to affect overall results.
The number of H1s awarded to students has dropped by 1.6 percentage points compared to last year.
Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton said that “normal” Leaving Certificate results will return in 2028.
“There has been a further adjustment (deflation) this year. There will be again next year, and then by 2028 we will be back completely to the normal Leaving Cert outcomes,” she said on Friday.
“There will be a gradual return to the normal Leaving Cert outcomes and I know the State Examination Commission, there’s been a lot of transparency, they’re highly regarded in relation to the work that they do to make sure that this is all the student-focused and we did give that commitment that there would be no cliff edge.”
She continued: “I wanted to congratulate all of our students who (received) their leaving Leaving Cert results this morning and congratulate them on this really important milestone in their lives, and particularly as well those students who have completed the level one and level two learning programmes.
“But I do understand that there will be nerves this morning and parents and guardians, as well as the students themselves, and not to mention the teachers who have been a huge support to our students right across the country.
“I think it’s important to remember that this cohort of Leaving Cert students who went into first year in 2020, wearing masks, trying to get to know their friends and their peers through unprecedented times.
“This has been a huge journey for them and I really want to congratulate them.
“There are so many options open to every student now today. It’s virtually limitless.
“Many people do different things in their lives and just to know that this is not a defining moment for you and there is lots of help about there.
“There are many, many, many avenues out there and today is a day of celebration and really important milestone.
“I want to thank all the teachers and school leaders who have supported our students over the last few months, but I know that they’re today supporting them also.”