A new record has been set for the number of students who sat the Higher Level maths paper for the Leaving Certificate in Ireland. This year, 26pc of students took the Higher Level paper – the highest figure on record – 13,014 students in 2013 compared with 8,235 candidates.
The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn, TD, has sent his congratulations to the 55,572 Leaving Certificate students who will be collecting their results at their schools, by phone or online today.
“The waiting is over. I hope the results received reflect the work and the many hours of study that the students have committed to over the last few years,” Quinn said.
“While our congratulations and good wishes must be focused on the students who receive their exam results today, I also want to pay tribute to you, the parents, families, teachers and school communities who have helped them reach this milestone.
“I am particularly pleased to see the significant growth in the number of students taking Higher Level maths continue this year. There can be no doubt that the 25 additional bonus points available for those who achieve a D3 or higher has had a major impact, but the increase also reflects the introduction of the new Project Maths syllabus,” Quinn said.
Error in maths paper
In June, there was concern about errors in the mathematics papers. Account was taken by the State Examinations Commission (SEC) in relation to these errors. Quinn has just received a report from the SEC in relation to these errors, and will take a few days to consider the content of the report before making any further comment.
Quinn said: “Completion of the Leaving Certificate is the end of a very important phase of our young people’s lives. It is the start of a new beginning, filled with new opportunities – not only in further and higher education for the majority – but also in many other fields.”
