Does our current educational system provide opportunities for success for everybody?

Ireland was a relative latecomer to free second level education for all. Whereas most Western European countries introduced mass second level schooling soon after the Second World War, it was 1967 before Donncha O'Malley, the then Minister for Education, introduced free second level education in Ireland. In terms of enrolment statistics, the scheme was a great success. Within a decade, enrolment in second level schools had doubled and by the late 1990s the numbers had trebled. By the end of the 20th century, 97% of the relevant cohort were completing junior cycle (up from 44% in the mid 1960s) and over 80% sat a Leaving Certificate (up from about 20%). However, concern has been expressed in recent years that the numbers taking Leaving Certificate have remained at around 83% during the past decade despite a plethora of government interventions and supports for those at risk of early school leaving.