The number of students taking the Leaving Cert in most State-run schools in Dublin has declined dramatically since 1990, but private fee-paying schools and "grind" schools have seen a surge in demand.
An Irish Timessurvey shows the number of students sitting the Leaving Cert down by up to 87 per cent in State-run schools.
In contrast, numbers have risen by up to 300 per cent in grind schools such as the Institute of Education on Dublin's Leeson Street and by 79 per cent in well-known private schools such as Gonzaga College. Grind schools outside Dublin, including Yeats College in Galway and Limerick Tutorial Centre, have also seen a huge surge in demand.
Overall, some 25 per cent of Leaving Cert students in Dublin now attend fee-paying schools or grind schools. The survey, based on figures from the State Exams Commission, shows how in south Dublin, some 40 per cent of all full-time Leaving Cert students are paying fees averaging more than €5,000 per year.
But although private education is booming, many State schools are struggling to attract students. Since 1990, the number sitting the Leaving Cert has declined significantly in a range of public schools.
Schools run by the Christian Brothers in Dublin are particularly affected. These include:
• Synge Street (down 70 per cent);
• James's Street (down 78 per cent);
• St Vincent's, Glasnevin (down 64 per cent).
Several State schools managed to buck the trend by registering a significant increase in enrolment. These include Portmarnock Community School and the non-fee-paying Loreto School in Swords.
Last night, president of the Teachers' Union of Ireland Tim O'Meara said the figures must raise new questions about the €80 million provided in State support for fee-paying schools.
The survey shows how more than 13,300 students completed the Leaving Cert in Dublin schools last year. Of these, some 3,400 took the exam in fee-paying or grind schools.
In south Dublin, more than 3,000 of the 7,600 Leaving Cert students attended private schools last year.