asked the Minister for Education if she will give details, regarding the following sectors under the headings indicated: (1) secondary schools, (2) community/ comprehensive schools, (3) second level VEC schools/community colleges; the number of male and female pupils entering for the Group, Intermediate and Leaving Certificate examinations for 1985/1986, or the most recent year for which figures are available; the numbers who passed the examinations as classified above; if any schools in these sectors operate an enrolment selection procedure; and her views on whether this would have an impact on the statistics provided for some sectors.
Written Answers. - Certificate Examinations Statistics.
104.
The number of candidates entering for the 1986 examinations were as follows:
|
Secondary Schools |
Community/Comprehensive Schools |
Vocational Schools (inc. Community Colleges) |
||||
|
Boys |
Girls |
Boys |
Girls |
Boys |
Girls |
|
|
Leaving |
15,996 |
20,345 |
4,352 |
3,646 |
2,555 |
2,305 |
|
Intermediate |
17,460 |
23,433 |
3,708 |
3,148 |
7,059 |
4,203 |
|
Group |
2,832 |
1,988 |
1,161 |
890 |
6,565 |
5,803 |
The terms "pass" and "fail" are no longer used in respect of the Certificate Examinations. Results are issued for each candidate showing the grades awarded to him/her in the various subjects taken in the examinations in a particular year.
Vocational schools, community schools or comprehensive schools do not operate enrolment selection procedures based on academic ability.
The eligibility of pupils in general for entry to secondary schools is governed by regulations, but my Department does not have statutory power of control over the admission of individual pupils to a particular secondary school. My Department would, however, deprecate selection on the basis of academic ability.