Clare Leaving Cert Results Said To Be In Line With Or Slightly Above Last Year

Clare FM

Leaving Cert results in Clare are said to be "in line with or slightly above" those of last year. It's now three hours since the almost 1,400 students who sat their Leaving Cert exams in Clare this year became able to access their long-awaited results online. It's been a tumultuous few years of secondary school for the 1,378 students in Clare who completed their Leaving Cert exams less than two months ago. Grade inflation was introduced by Education Minister Norma Foley in 2020 to offset the potential effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on exam results. That year, record results were achieved and inflation rose even higher in 2021 when students had the option of sitting exams or opting for accredited grades. Grade inflation remains in place this year, boosting grades by an average of 7.5% and Minister Foley has confirmed it will be stay in place next year, but will reduce to around 5.5%. Principal of St Flannan's College Ennis, Father Ignatius McCormack says students who have done well this year should be proud - but warns there are "other routes to the same destination". Between the 2016 and 2022 Census, the number of Clare people who completed third-level education rose by 6%, with the county's third-level completion rate rising above 40%, to 44%, for the first time. Despite this, Former ASTI President and St. Joseph’s Kilkee Community College teacher, Geraldine O'Brien insists there are more options open to young people than ever before. Round 1 offers for the CAO will be available from 2pm next Wednesday, August 28th. Career Guidance Counsellor and Teacher at Ennistymon Community School, Mary Tyrrell is reminding students the clock is ticking if they wish to view their scripts before they accept any offers. As today is undoubtedly one when tensions are high for students and parents alike, Retired Deputy Principal of Rice College John Burns says it's important to take a deep breath and surround yourself with people you can "lean on".