The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has congratulated students on their Junior Certificate results. The union has urged all students to complete a Leaving Certificate programme.
The union has also urged students to be responsible in their celebrations.
TUI President Seamus Lahart offered the following comment on aspects of today’s results.
Congratulations to all!
‘All students should be proud of their achievements, and we pay particular tribute to parents and guardians for their unstinting support throughout the journey to today’s results.
Students have worked very hard to arrive at this point. They should make sure to enjoy the celebrations with family and friends, but they should do so responsibly and not put the wellbeing of themselves or others at risk.’
Continue to complete Leaving Cert
‘Every student should continue to Senior Cycle. In this regard, it is important to highlight that no two learners are identical and that access to alternative options such as the Leaving Certificate Vocational and the Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) programmes should be expanded where required.
‘We are concerned by the 19% drop in the number of students opting for the LCA programme since 2010. This is as a direct result of cuts to both the pupil-teacher ratio and funding for the programme.’
Guidance counselling provision must be fully restored
‘In the coming days, focus will turn to finalising subject choices for the Leaving Certificate. As an obvious but important rule of thumb, students should always choose subjects that they are most interested in and that they find most engaging.
Guidance counselling in schools has not been fully restored to its pre-cut levels. We urge that this cutback be fully reversed to ensure that all students are armed with the best advice and information to allow them to make informed subject choices.’