Girls outdo the boys in almost every Leaving Cert subject [Independent.ie]
- Published: 14 August 2009
THE girls have again taken the honours in Leaving Certificate results. Female candidates have out-performed males in almost all subjects -- at both higher and ordinary level. Girls scored more A, B and C grades and were also less likely to put in a below-D performance, according to a gender breakdown of the Leaving Cert results.
Female students aim higher to begin with, being more likely than boys to study at honours level. The superior academic performance of females is not unique to Ireland and is an international phenomenon.
Full Story: http://www.independent.ie/
CSO Confirms Large Irish Primary Classes [INTO.ie]
- Published: 13 August 2009
CSO Report shows that Irish class sizes at primary level are among the highest in Europe.
Current Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 (Swine Flu) situation [DOHC.ie]
- Published: 13 August 2009
As a result of recent changes in the diagnosis and treatment of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009, patients are now diagnosed and managed clinically by their General Practitioner. Swabs will, therefore, no longer be routinely taken from patients and sent for viral testing. The number of laboratory confirmed cases has, therefore, ceased to be a reliable indicator of the burden of infection.
As of 29th July 2009, an estimated number of cases will be provided based on information derived from the National Influenza Sentinel GP Surveillance Network and reported on a weekly basis through the websites of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, the Health Service Executive and the Department of Health and Children. This gives a good estimate of the numbers of cases of influenza like illness being seen by GPs.
This system shows that influenza like illness rates have increased in recent weeks and the latest of these reports a rate of 33.1 cases per 100,000 population in the week ending 9th August 2009. By way of context, the peak reported Influenza like illness rate during last winter was approximately 120 per 100,000.
Read More: http://www.dohc.ie/issues/swine_influenza/
Outrage at falling maths and science performance in Leaving Cert [SiliconRepublic.com]
- Published: 12 August 2009
Industry groups have expressed outrage at declining maths and science performance evident in this year's Leaving Cert results, warning that the country needs to maintain and improve the quality of its human capital for economic survival.
Leaving Certificate results showed that just 16pc of students took honours maths which is down on the 2008 figures.
Full Story: http://www.siliconrepublic.com/
Results just don't add up as 4,500 fail key exam [Independent.ie]
- Published: 12 August 2009
ABOUT 4,500 Leaving Cert students failed maths this year as the crisis in performance in a key subject continues to dog Irish education.
There was little cause for joy at the top end of the scale either with a drop in the proportion of candidates opting to take maths at higher level.
Employers' body IBEC has expressed concern at what this means for the supply of graduates with the necessary hi-tech skills for the future economy.
Full Story: http://www.independent.ie/
