Minister for Education Helen McEntee has announced changes to the Junior Cycle grading system that will make it easier for students to achieve the top two grades in their exams. The move, which affects over 73,000 students preparing for their Junior Cycle exams this June, is aimed at better reflecting students’ efforts and work.
Under the revised grading bands, the thresholds for the two highest grades, Distinction and Higher Merit, will be lowered. A Distinction will now be awarded to students who achieve marks of 85% and above, a decrease from the previous threshold of 90%. Meanwhile, the Higher Merit grade will be given to students who score between 70% and 85%, widening the range from the previous band of 75% to 90%.
Minister McEntee explained that the adjustments would provide a more accurate reflection of students’ work while still maintaining a high standard of achievement. “This will have a positive impact on students, ensuring their grades are more reflective of their work and effort, as well as of the work of our teachers,” McEntee said. “It can be expected that higher numbers of students will achieve Distinction and Higher Merit grades with this change.”
The changes are part of a broader effort to shift focus away from rigid exam outcomes and towards fostering independent, resourceful, and confident learners. “They remain sufficiently broad to ensure that students can focus on learning and engaging in school, rather than focusing solely on examinations,” McEntee added.
The announcement comes as the minister prepares to address teachers at their annual trade union conferences in the coming days. In her remarks, McEntee also touched on her vision for the future of Ireland’s education system, particularly regarding the reform of the Leaving Certificate. Speaking to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, she emphasized the importance of supporting students to reach their full potential. “My ambition is that the Leaving Cert reform is a success,” she said. “I will work with our teachers to make sure every young person is supported to achieve their full potential.”
Today, McEntee spoke to primary school teachers at the annual Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) congress in Galway, before heading to Killarney to address delegates at the post-primary ASTI convention later this week.
