Students urged to go easy on the booze
The celebrations got under way tonight for the 54,000-plus students who received their long-awaited Leaving Certificate results.
As the thousands of school-leavers prepare to consider their options for the future, teenagers were warned not to let excessive drinking ruin their night out.
Bars and off-licences nationwide were urged to check all forms of identification to stamp out under-age drinking, and parents called on to promote responsible celebrations.
Students are advised to eat well before going out, arrange a way of getting home, take water between drinks and look out for their friends.
Some 54,000 students received their results today, and it is estimated that more than 75% of those will secure a place on one of their top three Central Applications Office choices.
A total of 5,500 students achieved at least one A1, with one student awarded A1s in nine subjects.
But this year grades were down in maths and science, with more than 4,600 students failing maths and 7% failing science subjects. Only 2,000 students repeated the Leaving Cert, compared with almost four times that number a decade ago.
Education Minister Mary Hanafin urged all students to think carefully about their future options and to be proud of what they have worked to achieve.
She asked students who performed well in science and mathematics to think carefully about choosing third-level courses in these areas, and called on colleges to accept pupils of Leaving Certificate foundation level mathematics into their institutions.
The CAO will publish points requirements for approximately 38,000 places online at 6am on Monday morning at www.cao.ie. More than 20,000 PLC course places and 7,000 apprenticeships are also available.
A helpline for anxious Leaving Certificate students is being manned by guidance counsellors who will offer advice to students and parents with queries on results, CAO offers, rechecks and grants. For information call 1800 265 165.
