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8th January 2025
03:57pm GMT
There are concerns after a new report found that more pupils are cheating on Leaving and Junior Cert exams than in 2023.
The number of students who were caught cheating has doubled in the last year, according to the report.
The State Examinations Commission confirmed that 86 complaints were upheld in 2023 compared to just 39 in 2024.
There was also an increase in Junior Cert pupils cheating on their exams.
The SEC found that 24 exam scores were permanently withheld after the 2024 exams. Only 10 were withheld in 2023.
Pupils cheated on their state exams in multiple different ways including using their mobile phones.
Others had hidden notes with them or used other electronic devices like smartwatches during their exams.
The SEC confirmed that an individual investigation will be conducted.
A spokesperson for the SEC confirmed:
"In the interest of being fair to all candidates, the SEC must be satisfied that marks awarded have been gained fairly and will investigate any suggestion, suspicion, or allegation of cheating.
"This is essential in order to uphold the integrity of the Irish State examinations system and to underpin equity and fairness within the system in order to enable all candidates to display their achievements on an equal footing."
