Dramatic fall in number failing maths in Leaving Certificate
August 16, 2012
Failure rate falls 20% as record numbers take higher paper
Education Editor IN A reversal of recent trends, the number failing maths in the Leaving Certificate has fallen dramatically, while record numbers opted to take the subject at higher level.
While the number failing maths this year is still relatively high at close to 4,000, this is down by 20 per cent on recent years.
Last night, Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn welcomed the record number of students who took higher level maths in the exam – 22 per per cent of all maths students took the higher paper, compared to 16 per cent last year. Remarkably, only 256 students of the 11,000-plus who took higher maths failed the paper.
This year, students were examined for the first time on some elements of the new Project Maths course, which has been criticised over “dumbing down’’ by some teachers.
Last night, some critics alleged examiners were “pressurised’’ to deliver better grades in maths. But the State Exams Commission strongly rejected these claims, issuing a lengthy statement detailing the marking process.
In the Dáil last month, Fine Gael TD Mary Mitchell O’Connor said she had “been informed by a corrector of the Leaving Certificate honours mathematics paper that in one of the 75-mark questions … the marking system has been changed drastically because the results are so dismal’’.
Exam results published this morning also show a marked increase in the numbers taking Irish at higher level. The other striking feature is the fall-off in the number of exam candidates from grind schools, down over 20 per cent.
The sharp increase in numbers taking higher level maths comes after colleges agreed to Mr Quinn’s request to offer bonus CAO points for those taking the paper. This year, the 10,875 students with a grade D3 or better in higher level maths will secure a bonus 25 CAO points. This means they will enjoy a considerable advantage over the 35,000 students who took the ordinary level paper.
The CAO will publish its first round of college offers next Monday. Over 32,000 places are available in Level 8 or higher degree courses.
It is expected the bonus points system will lead to a significant increase in points, especially for highdemand courses in such areas as science, technology and agriculture.
Career experts say the scattergun impact of the bonus points system could also see increased points even for areas such as arts and business.
The 11 per cent increase in the number taking higher level Irish is being linked to the new marking scheme that awards 40 per cent to the oral exam. Overall, the number taking higher level Irish increased by almost 5 per cent to 37 per cent.
Other main features of the results include:
Three students secured nine A1 grades, while 10 gained eight A1s. In all, 150 students scored a “perfect’’ Leaving with six A1s or better;
Failure rates remained high in several ordinary level subjects, including chemistry (16.6 per cent), biology (13.5 per cent) and physics (10.6 per cent);
Failure rates were also high in several language subjects at ordinary level, including Italian (10.3 per cent), French (6.9 per cent) and Spanish (7.2 per cent);
Among the main subjects, music is the “easiest’’ honour at higher level. Over 95 per cent of students secured an A, B or C;
Biology and business are the “hardest” honours, with an A, B or C rate of 71 per cent.
Peter O’Neill, president of the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland, which represents more than 600 US companies in Ireland, praised the bonus points system.
“Students who traditionally would have studied ordinary level maths seeking an ‘A’ grade have pushed themselves into the higher level stream and achieved honours at the higher level. This is a welcome development,” he said.
http://www.irishtimes.com/
An Ghaeilge does Electric Picnic 2012
August 13, 2012
It happens every year, the epicentre of music and innovation, a festival for every age – none other than ‘Electric Picnic’.
Founded in 2004, the festival has received much international acclaim, covering the same musical spectrum as Bestival, Glastonbury and Exit but it’s the little but brilliant things that make Electric Picnic stand out from the rest.
The festival provides ticketholders with a whirlwind of events every year including a circus, comedy, drama, raves in the woods, pottery workshops and meditation tents – yes they have it all covered, whether you want to chill in the Body and Soul section or rock out at The Salty Dog Stage.
In recent years the Irish language has played a significant part in the festival. Based in the Mindfield area, you will find an array of performances through Irish – music, drama, film, poetry, comedy and even rap and this year will be no different.
This year’s organisers Rossa Ó Snodaigh and Dónal Ó Donnabháin have already put together an exciting line-up for Irish Language events at the Spoken Word tent including:
- GAA Karoke: Aonghus Ó hEochaidh will be doing a live commentary on the GAA semi-final.
- Gaelscéal Debate
- Puppet Show
- Lúibíní and Sean-nós singing with Mairéad Ní Fhlatharta, Nell Ní Chróinín and more.
- Live music with Tara Ní Mhaonaigh & Seanán Ó Braonáin, Macara Ó Conghaile, Rónán Ó Snodaigh, Peadar Ó Goill, Eoin Ó Conghaile and The Dirty Nines.
- Film: Two films by Tomás Ó Súilleabháin will be screened and there will be a live dubbing in Irish of a B-movie.
- Drama with Fíbín, Manchán Mangan and Aisteorií Bulfin.
- Poetry with Gearóid Mac Lochlainn, Caoimhín Mac Giolla Cathain is Dairena Ní Chinnéide, Sorcha Fox, Seán Rua Ó Súilleabháin, Louis De Paor & Rónán Browne
- Cabaret Craiceáilte with Rónán Mac Aodh Bhuí
- Sexy Sean-nós: A sean-nós dancing workshop with a twist.
So, if you’re coming to the Picnic this year, make sure to call into the Mindfield for lots if craic as Gaeilge!
Múinteoir Gaelscoile – Scoil na gCeithre Máistrí
August 13, 2012
Múinteoir Gaelscoile – Gaelscoil na bhFilí
August 13, 2012
Múinteoir Gaelscoile – Gaelscoil Thaobh na Coille
August 13, 2012
Rúnaí Scoile – Gaelscoil na Mí
August 13, 2012
Clonakilty Gaelscoil plans approved
August 10, 2012
A West Cork Gaelscoil will offer classes in a purpose-built school for the first time in 18 years following planning approval by An Bord Pleanála.
Staff at Gaelscoil Chloch na gCoillte (Clonakilty) have taught pupils in a variety of makeshift classroom locations including a disco, a former Church of Ireland teachers’ residence, a mobile home, a holiday home and 29 prefab buildings since its inception in 1994.
The Department of Education secured a four-acre site at Fernhill Road in the town purchased from Cork County Council f or ¤675,000 in 2007.
Planning for a 16-classroom school was granted by Clonakilty town council last April but local objectors appealed the decision on grounds of road safety, visibility and parking. The planning appeals board granted planning permission this week, 18 weeks after the town council’s decision.
www.irishtimes.com
Páistí dátheangacha níos fearr “ag réiteach fadhbanna”
August 10, 2012
Belfast’s Féile an Droichid Festival
August 10, 2012
For the fourth year in a row, Féile an Droichid is set to run from 23-26 August in Belfast with a jam-packed schedule of events prepared to suit every age group.
The festival will kick off on 23 August at 8 pm at ‘The Mac’ with a special concert featuring famous sean-nós singer, Iarla Ó Lionáird from Cúil Áodha, West Cork and traditional guitar hero, Steve Cooney from Melbourne Australia.
Over to ‘The Droichead’ at 7.45 pm on Friday 24 August, where a well-known pairing of musicians, Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh and Breandán Ó Beaglaoich will be conjuring up a whirlwind of accordion and fiddle music. Caoimhín is no stranger to the festival as himself and Iarla Ó Lionáird made an appearance with the contemporary music group ‘The Glaoming’ for the main event last year.
On Saturday, 25th August at the same time and place, a fusion of bouzouki, concertina, uilleann pipes and keyboard will be performed by Dónal Lunny Pádraig Rynne, John McSherry and Graham Henderson. This is the first time for this group to play together although all performers are well known as solo musicians.
Among the other events taking place at the weekend will be a screening of two hugely influential Irish language films ‘Mise Éire’ and ‘Poitín’ at the QFT (Queens Film Theatre), an exhibition of records at Ulster Hall, intensive Irish / Scottish Gaelic courses, concertina and bouzouki workshops with Pádraig Rynne and Dónal Lunny, flute and fife classes and well as plenty of informal sessions throughout the festival.
A Graffiti Session and Movement Class for children will also run as part of the festival. Full details for all events will be available on www.androichead.com
Daonscoil na Mumhan 2012
August 10, 2012
Daonscoil na Mumhan will take place in An Rinn Ó gCuanach in Co. Waterford from 19thh -24th August 2012.
This year’s theme: Major differences between yesterday and today
Daonscoil na Mumhan is a week-long experience of lectures, fun and friendship through the Irish language. On Sunday, 19th August Minster of State for the Gaeltacht, Dinny McGinley TD will officially open this year’s school.
Many classes are organised throughout the week classes include sean-nós singing classes which will be conducted by the talented sean-nós singer Anne Mulqueen.
Events include many interesting lectures, music and sean-nós sessions, céilí, hill walking, book launch, storytelling, day trips, poetry reading and workshop by the renowned poet Áine Uí Fhoghlú while Cuthbert Tura Arutura originally from Zimbabwe will conduct a sean-nós dancing workshop.
On Wednesday evening a talent competition titled ‘Comóradh an Dá Phádraig’ in memory of two great men Pádraig Ó Dálaigh agus Pádraig Ó hÍceadha who worked with Daonscoil na Mumhan for many years.
On Friday 24th August Edel Ní Chuirreáin CEO of Raidió na Gaeltachta will give a lecture titled RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta 1972-2012. The station is celebrating it’s 40th anniversary this year. For a full list of event visit : www.daonscoil.com
Further information is available from Annraoi de Paor :
Tel: 087 971 1091 / 01 288 0072
E-mail : annraoi.depaor@ucd.ie
