17 August 2000

MARTIN McGUINNESS AND SEAN FARREN PRAISE GCE AND AS LEVEL RESULTS

Martin McGuinness MP, MLA, Education Minister and Dr Sean Farren, MLA, Minister of Higher & Further Education, Training and Employment, today congratulated local students and their teachers on the improved standards achieved in this year's GCE A level examinations conducted by the Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA).

Mr McGuinness said: "I want to congratulate all the candidates who have studied hard to achieve the best possible results for themselves. The results announced by CCEA are a credit to the efforts of not only the pupil's themselves, but also the dedication of the teachers and lecturers in our schools and colleges.

"Local pupils have again, this year, achieved high standards in GCE A level examinations. Almost 94% of pupils achieved pass grades at A level and the proportion of pupils who achieved the top grade A has also increased from 22.6% to 25.4% this year."

In conclusion, Mr McGuinness wished young people every success for the future: "While it is right for us to congratulate those pupils who have helped achieve these results some young people will not have done as well as they would have hoped. It is important to remember that school is not just about exam

results and I hope that all of the young people leaving school today will have benefited from their experience at school and will be better prepared for adult life and the world of work. I wish them all every success in the future."

Dr Farren said: "Today is one of the most important days of their lives for all those who have sat exams and are getting their results. This year's figures show that standards have improved yet again and I want to congratulate everyone involved, from the pupils themselves through to school and college staff and, of course, parents.

"Clearly, however, some young people will receive what they might consider bad news because their results have not lived up to their expectations. They should not be downhearted or despondent.

"Everyone who has come through the A level process has achieved something and, while they may not be able to follow their first preference, there are many other opportunities open to them to continue learning through training or studying in the work place. We all have to realise that learning is a lifelong process."

Dr Farren reminded students that his Department, and particularly the Training and Employment Agency, was there to help.

He added: "Students may wish to discuss their options further and, if so, the Training and Employment Agency Careers Officers are on hand to offer objective and tailored advice. Anyone who wants to can arrange an appointment with a careers officer at their local JobCentre by calling in or using the freephone number 0800 353530."

 

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

GCE A/AS Level Results

% CCEA entries obtaining grades

	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	20001
A level grades A-E	87.0	87.7	88.7	89.9	90.7	92.2	93.0	93.9
AS level grades A- E2	77.0	84.7	83.9	79.1	81.2	79.0	70.5	75.4

1 Provisional

2 The number of subject entries at AS level is small which may lead to significant variations from one year to the next.