April University of Galway calls for action on Leaving Cert results timeline

University of Galway has called for Leaving Certificate results day to return to a date in mid-August.

2023 is now set to be the fourth in a row in which results of the state exams have been delayed, causing stress for students eager to plan for a life in higher education and a knock-on impact on the quality of their first year at university.

University of Galway is supporting calls by the Irish Universities Association, the Union of Students’ of Ireland and the Technological Higher Education Association for Leaving Certificate results to be issued this year in mid-August, as well as acceleration of reform of the Leaving Certificate itself.

University of Galway President Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh said: “At University of Galway we have been doing our level best working internally and with Government and accommodation providers to ensure we support as many students as possible in the midst of an accommodation crisis. We are opening almost 700 new beds on-campus this year. Unfortunately, our efforts will only go so far and it is time Government ensured an end to delayed Leaving Certificate results. Delaying the issuing of results places unfair constraints on students and staff, with a compressed academic year and reduced student contact time. This benefits no one, least of all our students, and it runs counter to our values of respect and excellence at a critical time for young people.”

University of Galway Deputy President and Registrar Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh said: “Since 2020 the Leaving Certificate and inflation associated with calculated and accredited grades has rightly been a major concern. But alongside that, year on year since Covid, we are seeing additional and unnecessary stress piled on young people and their families as they have to wait too long to begin planning for life in university. It is high time that the Minister ensured a release of state examination results as early as possible to ensure that young people, who put years of effort into learning, do not suffer undue anxiety as they try to plan where they will study and live.”

The call for action on Leaving Certificate results is being made following recent sectoral level meetings with Department of Education officials who have indicated that 2023 results may not be released until September. 

In general, across the EU, state examination results are issued no later than the end of July each year.

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