Introduction to Education in the Republic of Ireland

It is compulsory that all children receive education between the ages of five and sixteen years, and complete three years of post-primary education up to the age of eighteen. Under the Constitution of Ireland, parents are not obliged "in violation of their conscience and lawful preference to send their children to schools established by the State, or to any particular type of school designated by the State." However the parental right to home-educate his/her child has met legal contests over minimum standards in the absence of constitutional provision for State-defined educational standards.

In 1973 the Irish language requirement for a second-level certificate was abandoned. However the Irish language remains a core subject taught in all public schools with exemptions given to individual pupils on grounds of significant periods lived abroad, or with learning difficulties etc.

While English is the primary medium of instruction at all levels in most schools across the state, Gaelscoileanna i.e. Irish-language schools, have become increasingly popular outside Gaeltacht regions where they have traditionally been. In these schools, Irish is the primary medium of instruction at all levels and English is taught as a second language starting in the second or third year of secondary school.

At third level, most university programs are through English with only a few Irish options. Some universities offer courses partly through French, German or Spanish.

Framework

Years
Education is compulsory for all children in Ireland from the ages of six to sixteen or until students have completed three years of second level education and including one sitting of the Junior Certificate examination. Primary education commonly starts at four to five years old. Children typically enroll in a Junior Infant class at age four or five depending on parental wishes. Some schools enrollment policies have age four by a specific date minimum age requirements.

Pre-school
Most pre-schools in Ireland are in the private sector. Increasingly children of working parents, who are below school age, attend a myriad of crèches, play-schools, Montessori schools, etc, which have sprung up in response to the needs of modern families. These operate as businesses and may charge often substantial childcare fees. Since 2009, in response public demand for affordable childcare, children may receive two years free preschool the years prior to starting primary schools under the "Early Childcare and Education Scheme".

Irish language Naíonraí are growing rapidly across Ireland. Nearly 4,000 preschoolers attend 278 preschool groups.

Primary School
Junior Infants (age 4-5/5-6)
Senior Infants (age 5-6/6-7)
First Class (age 6-7/7-8)
Second Class (age 7-8/8-9)
Third Class (age 8-9/9-10)
Fourth Class (age 9-10/10-11)
Fifth Class (age 10-11/11-12)
Sixth Class (age 11-12/12-13)

Secondary School
Junior Cycle
First Year (age 12-14)
Second Year (age 13-15)
Third Year (age 15-16) - The Junior Certificate examination is sat in all subjects (usually 10 or 11) in early June. Many schools hold Mock Examinations (also known as Pre-Certificate Examinations) to prepare students for the exam situation around February. The mocks are not state examinations: independent companies provide the exam papers and marking schemes - and are therefore not mandatory across all schools.

Transition Year
Transition Year (age 15-17) - may be compulsory; optional or unavailable, depending on school.

Senior Cycle
Fifth Year (age 16-18 or if transition year is skipped age 15-17)
Sixth Year (age 17-19 or if transition year is skipped age 16-18) - The Leaving Certificate examinations begin on the first Wednesday after the June bank holiday every year. Many schools hold Mock Examinations (also known as Pre-Certificate Examinations) to prepare students for the exam situation around February. The mocks are not state examinations: independent companies provide the exam papers and marking schemes - and are therefore not mandatory across all schools.