Gender Gap Increases In Exam Results

Girls Outperforming Boys Across The Country

The gap between boys and girls in educational results continues to widen in Ireland, with the publication of leaving cert and A level results north and south of the border this week.

Thousands of anxious 18 year-olds were given their results on Friday, telling them whether or not they won a university place.

In the North A Level results rose again, with almost half of the students sitting the exams attaining A grades.

The North's students bettered their counterparts in England, Scotland and Wales.

Almost a third of those who sat A levels got A results, compared to a quarter in the UK.

In the south, girls continued to outperform their male counterparts, and made progress in 'traditionally' male subjects such as Maths and Science.

That meant that overall girls got more A grades in all subjects than boys in the south, accounting for 6,275 of all A1 grades, compared to 4.078 for boys.

However business groups in Ireland expressed concern at the high failure rate in maths for both boys and girls.

Overall one in five entrants failed basic level maths.

"Apart from possessing basic skills, employers are increasingly worried about the attitude of young workers," said Ibec director, Caroline Nash.

"Having a positive attitude towards work and the ability to learn fast are key attributes that employers look for".

Education minister Mary Hanafin said she backs a bonus points scheme system for maths and science.

She said the scheme would encourage students to choose science based subjects.

"What we (the education department) are examining is a bonus points scheme that would be course specific - something which would give leaving cert students an additional incentive to opt for third level options with a strong maths or science component," she said.

With competition for university places becoming more difficult each year, students have drifted away from maths and science, opting instead for 'easier' subjects which will secure them the coveted university places.

Ms Hanafin said that the recent OECD ranking of Ireland as just average for maths and science highlighted the need to move into the top flight.

"Being average is not good enough," she said.

"We need to move on if we are to achieve or ambition of a knowledge based economy".

Across the country more than 4,000 earned the 500 leaving cert points needed to insure entry to most of the high demand courses on offer at university such as law, medicine and psychology.

Only one student, 17 year-old Ronan McGovern, achieved nine A1s. C