Education in the Republic of Ireland facts for kids

Education in Ireland has three main levels. These are primary, secondary, and higher (also called "third-level"). In recent years, more and more adults are getting higher education. By 2020, 51% of working adults had finished higher education. The growth of Ireland's economy since the 1960s has changed the school system a lot. If you go to a university, you pay a student service fee. This fee helps cover costs like exams and registration.

The Department of Education sets the rules for schools. It also controls how money is spent. The Minister for Education is in charge of this department. Other important groups include the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland and the Higher Education Authority. At a local level, Education and Training Boards help run schools. In August 2020, a new department was created. It's called the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. It makes rules and gives money to colleges and universities. As of 2020, Norma Foley is the Minister for Education. Simon Harris is the Minister for Further and Higher Education.

Your School Journey in Ireland

Students in Ireland must go to school from age 6 to 16. Or they must finish three years of second-level education. Parents in Ireland can choose to home-school their children. This is allowed by the Constitution of Ireland.

Since 1973, you don't need to pass an Irish exam to get a second-level certificate. But Irish is still a main subject in all public schools. Some students don't have to study Irish. This might be if they lived abroad for a long time. Or if they have learning difficulties.

Most schools teach in English. But Gaelscoileanna, which are Irish-language schools, are becoming very popular. In these schools, Irish is the main language for teaching. English is taught as a second language. This usually starts in the second or third year of secondary school. At college level, most courses are in English. Some universities offer courses partly in French, German, or Spanish.

School Years and Stages

School is required for all children in Ireland from age six to sixteen. Or until they finish three years of second-level school. This includes taking the Junior Certificate exam. Most children start primary school at age four or five. They usually begin in a Junior Infant class.

Starting School: Pre-school

Most pre-schools in Ireland are private. Many young children go to crèches or play-schools. These places help working parents. Since 2009, children can get two years of free pre-school. This is under the "Early Childcare and Education Scheme." It helps families with childcare costs.

Irish language Naíonraí (pre-schools) are growing fast. Nearly 4,000 pre-schoolers go to these groups.

Primary School Years

• Junior Infants (ages 4-5 or 5-6)
• Senior Infants (ages 5-6 or 6-7)
• First Class (ages 6-7 or 7-8)
• Second Class (ages 7-8 or 8-9)
• Third Class (ages 8-9 or 9-10)
• Fourth Class (ages 9-10 or 10-11)
• Fifth Class (ages 10-11 or 11-12)
• Sixth Class (ages 11-12 or 12-13)

Secondary School Years

Secondary school has two main parts: the Junior Cycle and the Senior Cycle.

Junior Cycle

• First Year (ages 12–14)
• Second Year (ages 13–15)
• Third Year (ages 15–16) – You take the Junior Certificate exam in June. Most students take 10 or 11 subjects. Many schools have "Mock Examinations" in February. These help you get ready for the real exam. These mocks are not state exams.

Transition Year

• Transition Year (ages 15–17) – This year might be required, optional, or not offered. It depends on your school.

Senior Cycle

• Fifth Year (ages 16–18, or 15–17 if you skipped Transition Year)
• Sixth Year (ages 17–19, or 16–18 if you skipped Transition Year) – The Leaving Certificate exams start in early June. Many schools also have "Mock Examinations" in February. These help students prepare for the main exams.

Understanding Secondary Education

Most students start secondary school when they are 12 or 13. About 90% of students finish secondary school. They take the Leaving Certificate exam. This exam is usually taken at age 16–19 in 6th Year.

Secondary education happens in four main types of schools:

• Voluntary secondary schools are often run by religious groups or private organizations. The state pays for most teachers' salaries. Most of these schools get 95% of their running costs from the state. Families might give voluntary payments to help. A few schools charge fees for students to attend. These schools teach 57% of secondary students.
• Vocational schools are run by Education and Training Boards. The state pays for 93% of their costs. These schools teach 28% of secondary students.
• Comprehensive schools or community schools started in the 1960s. They often combined voluntary and vocational schools. The state fully funds them. Local boards manage them. Almost 15% of secondary students go to these schools.
• Grind schools are private schools that charge fees. They are not part of the state system. They usually focus on the Senior Cycle (5th and 6th Year). They also offer a one-year course to repeat the Leaving Certificate.

Gaelcholáistí are second-level schools that teach in the Irish language. They are found in English-speaking areas. About 3% of secondary students go to these schools.

In cities, you have many choices for schools. The Irish education system tries to teach a wide range of subjects. It prepares students for society, college, or work. In 2012, a study found that Ireland was 7th in reading and 20th in maths for 15-year-olds worldwide.

Here's a look at the types of mainstream secondary schools in 2021:

What You Learn: Types of Programmes

The Department of Education sets the rules for what you learn in secondary schools. The State Examinations Commission runs the exams.

• The Junior Cycle builds on what you learned in primary school. It ends with the Junior Certificate Examination. Students usually start this at age 12 or 13. The exam is taken after three years of study. You take exams in English, Irish, Maths, and Science. You also choose other subjects. These can include Art, French, German, Music, Business Studies, History, and Geography. The subjects you can choose depend on your school. Most students take about ten subjects for the exam. You also have classes like Physical Education (PE) and Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) that are not examined.

• Transition Year is a one-year course. More and more students are taking it, usually at age 15 or 16. Schools decide what to teach in Transition Year. It might be required in some schools, but optional in others. Some schools don't offer it. In Transition Year, you don't study for the Leaving Certificate exams. So, students who don't do this year are not behind academically. Activities in Transition Year can include work experience, projects, trips, and special courses. You might learn creative writing, sailing, or filmmaking. This year lets students mature and explore career ideas. It also helps them choose subjects for the Senior Cycle.

• The Senior Cycle builds on the Junior Cycle. It ends with the Leaving Certificate Examination. Students usually start this at age 15–17. This is after finishing the Junior Cycle or Transition Year. The Leaving Certificate exam is taken after two years of study. You usually take it at ages 17–19. You must take exams in English, Irish, and Maths. You also choose 3 or 4 other subjects.

So, a typical secondary school has First to Third Year (Junior Certificate at the end of Third). Then there's the optional Transition Year. After that are Fifth and Sixth Year (Leaving Certificate at the end of Sixth).

Most students continue from Junior to Senior Cycle. Only about 12.3% leave school after the Junior Certificate. This is lower than the average in the European Union. Irish secondary students do well in reading, maths, and science tests. Ireland has the second-best reading skills for teenagers in the EU, after Finland.

Support for Special Needs

The "Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004" helps students with special needs. It sets up how they get their education.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) supports students with physical and learning disabilities. Some schools offer special help for these students. Students with dyslexia can also get extra support if funding is available.

Special Needs Assistant

A Special Needs Assistant (SNA) is like a helper in the classroom. They work with students who need extra support because of a disability.

Helping Disadvantaged Schools

The Department of Education and Skills finds schools in disadvantaged areas. They have plans to give these schools extra help.

School Holidays

School holidays can be a bit different depending on the school. But primary and secondary schools usually have similar breaks. The school year has two terms. The first term is from early September to the week before Christmas. The second term is from the week after New Year's Day to the last week in June.

For 1st, 2nd, and 5th Year secondary students, their term ends in the last week of May. This is because they don't have state exams then. There's a one-week mid-term break around Halloween. You get two weeks off for Christmas. This is usually the last week of December and the first week of January. There's another mid-term break in February. You also get two weeks off for Easter and then summer holidays. Bank Holidays are also days off. Primary schools usually have July and August off. Secondary schools have June, July, and August off. But 3rd and 6th Year students have state exams in the first three weeks of June.