The National University of Ireland is to end the matriculation examinations after eighty-two years.
The National University of Ireland (NUI) Senate agreed on plans to abolish the Matric as a means of university entrance. The decision was passed by a margin of just two votes.
Under the old system, students were allowed to combine the best results from across both the Leaving Certificate and the Matric in order to gain access to any universities falling under the umbrella of the NUI.
Professor Gus Martin, of University College Dublin (UCD) regrets the abolition of the matriculation examination. Kieran Mulvey, the general secretary of the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI), is in favour of the abolition saying that the Leaving Certificate is a good standard of university entry.
The Matric ended in 1992 after 82 years. From then on university applicants have been judged by their Leaving Certificate results alone.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 26 January 1990. The reporter is Tom Kelly.
