Leaving Cert has kicked off

The long wait is over as 63,539 students across the country as the Leaving Cert began yesterday, Wednesday.

There is a 3% increase on last year’s numbers, with a massive 20% surge in those sitting the Leaving Cert Applied programme.

In Cork, 6,723 students will take the Leaving Cert, with 304 students sitting the Leaving Certificate Applied examination, the State Examinations Commission has said.

After a pandemic-hiatus, this year marks a return to a traditional exam-based set-up, with calculated grades not making up part of the final results.

First up yesterday morning was English Paper 1 followed by Home Economics, Scientific and Social in the afternoon.

Speaking yesterday morning, Minister for Education Norma Foley TD sent best wishes to all the students about to sit the exams. “I want to take the opportunity to wish you well. It’s a great achievement to have reached this point in your education journey. All will be well. You’ve done the study, believe in yourself, the very best of luck.”

An Tanaiste Michael Martin also released a message on his social media: “While undoubtedly this is a time of pressure and it is challenging, no doubt the work that you’ve put in over the years will stand to you. It’s also a time of opportunity, the ending of the second cycle phase of your education, and the opening up of many opportunities in the time ahead.

"Remember there are many pathways now to the career of your choice. So the very best of luck and into the future. Go n-éirí an t-ádh libh.”

It will wrap up on 28 June.