We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
JUNIOR CYCLE STUDENTS are receiving their exam results today.
More than 70,000 students will begin to get their results from 9am.
The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has congratulated all students receiving their Junior Cycle results today while also pointing to challenges in the education system.
TUI President David Waters said: “This is an important milestone in their educational journey and they should be extremely proud of their achievements to date.”
“It is also important today to acknowledge the encouragement and support of parents and guardians and the dedication of teachers over the duration of the Junior Cycle years,” he said.
“As always, we urge students to be careful and responsible in their celebrations.”
But he also drew attention to the good performance of students despite the level of funding provided by the Government, when compared to other OECD countries.
‘The latest international PISA findings of 15-year-old Irish students show that the scores across the three areas which were examined – Mathematics, Science and Reading – were all rated as being ‘statistically significantly’ above the OECD average.’
‘However, the latest OECD Education At A Glance report shows that at second level, Ireland’s spend as a percentage of GDP (0.9%) is the lowest of the 34 countries for which figures are provided, trailing far behind the OECD average of 1.9%.’
‘We once again urge the Government to match the commitment of Irish students and their teachers by investing properly in education.’
Waters said the current teacher recruitment and retention crisis “limits subject choice and often sees students taught subjects by a succession of teachers across both Junior Cycle and Senior Cycle”.
He described the situation as “absolutely unacceptable”.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
9m wastes on phone pouches while teachers crying out for more funding, government waste of money that could have been used. You cud not write this crap!!
@Joanne Stokes: don’t vote for them stoksie
@Joanne Stokes: give me hope Joanna
@Buster Lawless: i dont and never have done hun :)
@P. V. Aglue: Who is Joanna or is that you singing to yer mam, so cute!!
JC and LC are completely unfit for purpose. Students attend secondary school for several years and their university placement is defined by one test.
This model disadvantages certain types of learners. The rote model also disproportionately benefits wealthy families who can pay for private schools and additional classes.
Why don’t the unions send representatives to these countries, suggest a modern model like most have and then request funding? I believe the unions and teachers have objected to this suggestion in the past.
@Bat Boy: I went to school with a some wealthy well educated people. But their still thick! It’s all about knowledge retention.
@Bat Boy: You seem to be assuming that private schools are somehow better than ‘state’ schools!
@Bat Boy: a significant portion of each subject is now gained through coursework completed throughout the cycle so no its not just one test anymore.
We have the lowest spend as a percentage of GDP because our GDP is massive. What a nonsense argument!
They will all be getting drunk and smashing up the place..that’s all we need
@Buster Lawless: That’s teachers for you :-)
@The next small thing: ah good one. They will be worse, pissing in the street.
@Buster Lawless: but of an overreaction as usual….only a small minority will be like that
@jak: a good few of them, probably the majority love their liquor.
@jak: this is true, they need all the help they can get.
Won’t have work for them in years with all these young men and women which are highly qualified migrating to our country
@John Kenny: well if they are capable of passing the exams to be able to practice whatever profession they are in here, they deserve the jobs.
Wonder where those students fared since…the ones in the Photo at the top of the article….taken in 2018.
have your say