ASTI President Donal Cremin has sent a message of congratulations to all of the students, parents and teachers involved in the 2024 Junior Certificate examinations:
“To all of the students getting Junior Cert results, you have achieved an important milestone in your lives. Your teachers are very proud of you today. Your progress through the Junior Cycle and the Junior Cert will serve you as you move through Senior Cycle and beyond.”
Mr Cremin said the Junior Cert provides the experience of formal State exams, which stands to students in their lives. It also helps students in making decisions about subjects at Senior Cycle and various career options: “The fact that the Junior Cert is an independently assessed and objective statement of your efforts is immensely valuable in helping you to develop an understanding of yourself, your unique set of interests, talents and abilities, and what future direction you might consider.”
The most recent OECD PISA report shows that 15-year-olds in Ireland rank first out of 37 OECD countries for reading literacy. Out of 81 world countries, Singapore is the only country ahead of Ireland for reading literacy. Ireland ranks 7th out of 37 OECD countries for performance in maths, and is in 8th place for performance in science. Ireland is one of 10 countries highlighted in the PISA report for high levels of equity for students.
However, Ireland remains at the bottom of the league for investment. The OECD report Education at a Glance 20024 positioned Ireland in last place out of 34 countries for investment in second-level education as a percentage of GDP.
“We must ensure that we retain our high quality and equitable second-level education system. In this regard, teachers’ voice is crucial, as is investment in schools and the education system.”
Finally, the ASTI President asked all students celebrating their Junior Cert results to do so safely: “I encourage all of you to celebrate in a safe manner. If you are celebrating with your friends, make sure your parents and guardians are involved in your plans.”
ENDS
Issued by Gemma Tuffy, Communications Official. Tel: 01/6040172; email: [email protected]
