The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has strongly advised all students who receive their Junior Certificate results today to stay on and complete a Leaving Certificate programme. The union has also urged that programmes which boost student retention such as the Leaving Certificate Applied programme be protected and enhanced.
Comments from TUI Deputy General Secretary Annette Dolan:
“The Junior Certificate marks an important milestone and we congratulate all students on their achievements. They can play their part to help stimulate economic recovery by staying on to complete a Leaving Certificate programme. It is absolutely vital that they continue with their education.
Student retention is of huge importance for educational, social and economic reasons and we urge that pioneering programmes which retain students who may otherwise choose to drop out after the Junior Certificate be insulated from further cutbacks.
With this in mind, we would again appeal to the Department of Education and Skills to fill the position of national co-ordinator of the Leaving Certificate Applied programme. The position was not filled after a retirement, and for a miniscule saving, the Department is negatively impacting on the aspirations of the 7,000 students within the programme at a time when there has been a worrying drop-off in the number of students completing the two year course.
It has never been more vital that all students seek to at least attain a Leaving Certificate as in the current climate they have little or no chance of entering the workforce without one.
Finally, students should celebrate responsibly and with this in mind we urge vintners and those in the off licence trade to be particularly vigilant today.”