Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Jun 1993

Vol. 432 No. 1

Written Answers. - Leaving and Junior Certificate Examinations.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

44 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education the number of pupils who are sitting the Leaving Certificate and Junior Certificate examinations in 1993; and whether unnecessary pressure is being exerted on them because of undue emphasis on examination results.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The number of candidates entered for the Leaving Certificate 1993 is 63,235 of which 58,314 are school candidates and 4,921 are external candidates.

The number entered for Junior Certificate is 68,426.

The number entered for Senior Certificate is 1,845.

On the general aspect of the Deputy's question I am aware that in some cases there is undue emphasis on examination results. This can arise from the pupils themselves, their peers, teachers, parents, schools, media comment and competition for places at third level. In exceptional cases the undue stress can lead to nervous stress and depression.

Because of these exceptional cases I am uneasy about some of the comment on examinations which can exaggerate the importance of results. My impression, this year, is that media comment has been restrained and I welcome this development. The most important outcome of education is that the pupils grow in knowledge and understanding, in useful skills and in, developing their own values and appreciating those of others.