Leaving Cert begins with record 140,000 students to sit State exams

James Cox

The number of students sitting State exams has passed 140,000 for the first time.

Students from over 800 post primary schools will sit down to English Paper One from 9.30am this morning.

The number of candidates is up by 3 per cent on last year's figure of 136,000 across Leaving Cert, Junior Cert and Leaving Cert Applied (LCA).

Minister for Education Helen McEntee said while students should work hard at their exams, there are always other options.

"Really this is an important times for young people. But at the same time it is important that they know there are so many different avenues and routes and pathways for them to achieve, ultimately whatever it is they want to achieve at the end of the day.

"I just want to wish the many thousands of students who will be doing their exams the best of luck."

Taoiseach Micheál Martin also had a message for all those starting their exams today.

He said: "I want to wish all of the students participating in the exams the very best of success.

"They've worked hard... and just to keep it in perspective and do the very best they can. The country is with them as they go about what is a very important exam for them."

This year’s exams will run until Tuesday, June 24th for Leaving Cert and Monday, June 16th for Junior Cert.