Figures show sharp rise from last year

THIRTY-FIVE students who sat this year’s Junior Cert have not received their results over fears they cheated.

The State Examinations Commission confirmed they are being “permanently withheld” from 20 pupils. A further 15 are still being investigated.

The figures represent a sharp increase. Last year 11 students were refused their results while 18 and 11 youngsters were denied them in 2016 and 2015 respectively.

The statistics also reveal teens are more than twice as likely to cheat in the Leaving Cert than the Junior Cert.

The SEC confirmed last month 80 students had the results of their final school exams withheld this year – 43 permanently and 37 pending further examination.

Some 55,440 pupils sat the Leaving Cert compared to 62,562 taking the Junior Cert.

However, in spite of the smaller number of applicants, the figure for those suspected of cheating is more than twice as high.

An SEC spokeswoman said yesterday: “A decision to withhold a result or marks is open to appeal. The SEC has provisionally withheld 15 other results, on a without prejudice basis, pending further communication with the schools and candidates concerned.”

Students are warned they are liable to have their entire exam cancelled if they bring ipods, MP3/4 players or mobile phones into the hall.

They are also banned from aiding or attempting to assist another candidate or obtaining or attempting to obtain help from another participant.

The spokeswoman added: “In the interest of being fair to all candidates, the SEC must be satisfied marks have been gained fairly.”