Around 60,000 students will receive their results today.

After much controversy surrounding the Leaving Cert grading system for 2020, this year's results have finally been released. According to data published by the Department of Education this morning, grades are on average 4.4 percent higher than last year. H1 grades have increased by 3 percent compared to 2019, while the amount of O1 and O2 grades issued has increased by 3.5 percent. The average marks across all subjects at all levels have increased on average by 4.4 percent points compared to last year. The results of the calculated grading system, introduced following the cancelation of the Leaving Cert due to Covid-19, show that grades across all subjects are higher than they would have been on any other year. Some 60,000 students received their Leaving Cert results this morning. Minister for Education Norma Foley congratulated students, stating that today is "a very different day from what we had anticipated for you." "I do appreciate what an especially difficult time you have had over the past six months, and I want to commend you for the patience, courage and resilience you have shown in that time," she said. “This has been a challenging time for students, their families and school communities. However, I do believe what has been created is the fairest possible solution given the extraordinary circumstances in which we find ourselves as we journey together through the Covid-19 pandemic. "Today, with confidence, you can look back with pride on all that you have achieved and look forward with courage to the next exciting phase of your lives." The calculated grades system received much criticism following its introduction earlier this summer, after confirmation that both gender and socio-economics will be used to help tally the final grades. "The use of demographic characteristics, including gender and socio-economic status of the school, was inherent in the Technical Working Group's design of the calculated grades model," said Foley. Students can access their grades through the calculated grades portal from 9am.