High failure rates in maths and science subjects are the most striking feature of the Leaving Cert results published today.
Almost one in five Leaving Cert students are ineligible for most third-level courses. Some 5,000 failed ordinary-level or higher-level maths, while a further 5,800 took foundation-level maths, which is not accepted by most third-level colleges.
Another striking feature of the results is the fact that about 4,000 students failed to sit the Irish exam. Some of those, such as non-nationals or with special needs, are exempted. But education sources say many of these students opted out of Irish in school. One said: "There are a significant number of students who have signed off on Irish."
The results in maths and sciences have been described as a "hammer-blow" by the employers' group, IBEC. They will also disappoint the Government and industry, which have been working to arrest the fall-off in student interest in these subjects.
Almost one in five students failed ordinary-level biology, and a relatively high failure rate was also evident in physics and chemistry. More than 11 per cent of students failed ordinary-level maths, and some 4 per cent failed higher-level.
The chief examiner in the subjects has said that students are too preoccupied with part-time work, and their hectic social lives to give maths the concentrated attention it requires.
Last night the Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey, moved to increase demand for science, technology and related courses at third-level, where CAO points have been falling because of reduced demand.
In a statement he urged students "who have performed well in the subjects in the examinations to think carefully about choosing courses in the science, engineering and technology sectors.
"These areas offer qualifications which are in high demand, with good career prospects, and are critically important to support the growth of high-value knowledge-based industries in Ireland," the Minister said.
The high failure rates in maths and science at ordinary level compare to very low failure rates of about 3 per cent in subjects such as business and French.
Last night Mr Brendan Butler of IBEC said the latest figures came as "a very clear warning signal" for both Government and business. "As a country we are trying to attract investment in the IT, pharmaceutical and bio-technology sectors," he said. "But a core component of that is high skills. Our main economic and investment policies would seem to be inconsistent with our education system."
The exam results will be available from this morning in schools. From noon today they can also be accessed by phone or on the Internet. Students will need their PIN number and exam number. The phone number is 1530-719290. The website is www.examinations.ie
Last night the ASTI president, Ms Susie Hall, said students should keep a level head and consider their options carefully. "Students and parents should also realise that there are many different avenues to achieving career goals. There are far more varied options for further education now than there have ever been," she said.
CAO points figures will be published next Monday. With CAO applications down, it is expected that points for several mid-ranking courses could fall. However, demand for high-points courses such as medicine, law and veterinary means the points requirement will remain at very high levels. In all, results will be issued to 58,753 students today. This figure includes more than 3,500 Leaving Cert Applied students and about 2,800 repeats.
The core number of school-leavers taking the exam is about 53,000, compared to about 60,000 a decade ago.
By some estimates the number taking the exam will decline to about 46,000 by 2012.