Girls are outperforming boys in virtually all the main Leaving Cert subjects, including maths and science.
A higher percentage of female candidates are securing honours in higher-level papers than their male counterparts across a range of subjects, among them Irish, English and French.
More male students are also failing ordinary level subjects. The failure rate at this level is significantly higher among males in virtually all subjects including Irish, English and maths.
Department of Education figures, released yesterday, confirm the trend, already widely suspected by teachers, that girls are generally much more assiduous in their studies than boys.
There was a widespread welcome for the Leaving Cert results yesterday. With the number of honours grades up in most subjects, most students were pleased. However, widespread concern has been expressed about the continuing high failure rates in ordinary level maths and science.
In a separate development, the Department last night confirmed that exam results had been withheld from 44 students in 49 subjects for suspected breaches of exam regulations. About half of these cases involved alleged collusion by students in the preparation of portfolio work as in the work-orientated Leaving Cert Vocational Programme.
The gender comparison of Leaving Cert results underlines how girls are outperforming boys. Across a range of the main Leaving Cert subjects, at least 5 per cent more girls are securing honours in higher-level papers. Girls are outscoring boys by 9 per cent in higher-level biology and by 5 per cent in business.
There is equally depressing news for boys in the failure rates. More boys failed a range of subjects including Irish, English, maths, French and physics.
Last night, the Minister of State for Education, Mr Willie O'Dea, expressed concern about the high failure rates at ordinary level. About 10,000 people accessed their Leaving Cert results yesterday on the Department's website. Almost 40 per cent of the hits were from outside the State.
The Irish Times Exam Helpline which yesterday received a record number of calls, is available throughout the college offer season, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The number is 1850 292827.