A total of 2,763 students commenced their State Examinations in Co Clare today.
More females are sitting the Leaving and Junior Certificate than their male counterparts in Clare. Leaving Cert students completed English Paper 1 and Home Economics. It was a busy day of writing for the Junior Cert pupils who put pen to paper on both English assessments.
1,289 individuals began the Leaving Certificate, with 659 females and 630 males hoping to finish their second-level education in the next fifteen days. 81 students undertook the Leaving Cert Applied programme in Clare, there is a greater amount of young men on this programme in contrast to young women with forty six males and thirty five females.
For the 1,393 teenagers in Clare beginning their Junior Certificate it is their first taste of the State Examinations. This level is where the biggest difference is evident between the amount of people from each gender sitting exams with 761 females and 632 males.
Nationally more than 12,000 students began their exams in over 5,000 centres across the country.
President Michael D. Higgins passed on his best wishes to those beginning the series of examinations. “Today’s exams mark an important stage in thousands of young people’s education and those starting their exams today deserve all of our support, as do the teachers and families who assisted the students. While these exams are important, they are but one part of the overall learning and education cycle, which will continue for the remainder of their lives. It is my hope that the skills, knowledge and values our students have learnt will help them in the future, as citizens of a country full of hope and possibilities. Guím gach rath orthu don todhchaí.”
Children’s Ombudsman Dr Niall Muldoon said students may feel a huge amount of pressure but all they could do was their best. “I would encourage all students, as well as their families, teachers and friends to take some time during this busy period to consider their mental well-being. Anxiety, depression and stress are common among those sitting exams. Young people feel a huge amount of pressure to do well and they should be reminded that while exams are very important, there will be lots of other opportunities and possibilities. I hope everyone sitting the Junior and Leaving Certificates achieve the goals they have set for themselves.”
ASTI President Máire Ní Chiarba has wished students luck ahead of the exams, saying they should look after themselves over the next few weeks. “Remember you are not alone as you have the full support of your teachers, schools and families. The most important thing now is to stay calm and focused during the exam period. It’s normal to feel some level of anxiety. Try to keep things in perspective. You are sitting exams; that is all they are. Exams are very much part of going through life but they do not represent your value as a human being”.
Pat Burke, Chairman of the State Examinations Commission (SEC), sends his best wishes and those of his fellow Commissioners on behalf of the SEC to all sitting the State examinations in 2016. “The State examinations represent the culmination of much hard work by students, their families and schools. The Commission is committed to ensuring that the examinations are conducted to the highest standards in an open, and fair manner. It is our objective to enable each candidate display his or her achievements during what can be astressful time. I know that the continued support of families and the wider educationcommunity and beyond is essential at this time. The Commission wishes all those involved the very best over the coming three weeks of examinations”.
Thursday June 23 is the finish date for the Junior Certificate with the Leaving Certificate drawing to a close a day later. Written exams in the LCA programme conclude on Thursday June 16. Results will be available for the Leaving Certificate on Wednesday August 17 while it’s a wait until mid-September for Junior Cert students.