There have been celebratory scenes at schools across Northern Ireland following this year's GCSE results, roughly equivalent to the Republic's Junior Cycle.
However, concerns over regional inequalities in results across England have been raised by its exams regulator, Ofqual, particularly between areas which are better off compared to those with lower average incomes.
Stormont Minister for Education Paul Givan, a DUP MLA, was himself among the ranks of parents whose children got their grades this morning.
Minister Givan expressed his family's delight at his eldest daughter’s results.
"I, like all parents, went to bed last night slightly nervous. Up this morning, into school, while she went in to get her results," he said.
Mr Givan said that he was "delighted but also relieved", as he expects many parents are.
"Ultimately, we just want our young people to do well. We want them to be happy and we want to provide them a place in Northern Ireland where they can succeed, and we have an education system that is doing that."
The minister met students at Dromore High School, Co Down, including Emily Henderson.
Emily got six As, two Bs and two C*s, and said that she was happy after a nervous night.
She flew home yesterday from a hockey match in Holland with her Portadown Ladies Hockey Club team mates, who were also expecting their results.
"I was so nervous, we were on that flight and trying to entertain each other because we were all nervous," she said.
"I didn’t sleep a wink last night, but I’m delighted with my results and to go on and do A-levels in maths, physics and a BTEC (national certificate) in psychology.
"I’d be quite interested in doing engineering or maybe sports psychology."
Jonny Beckett got two A* grades, four As and a B.
"I was hoping for good results and I’m happy with this," he said.
"It was definitely more difficult than last year when I was doing some of my GCSEs. I’m going to come back next year to do A-levels and see where it takes me."
Lewis Mulligan said that he was very pleased with his results - including five A* grades and five As.
"I was nervous last night, couldn't really sleep."
"I'm looking forward to moving on to A-levels in maths, physics and geography, and I’m interested in doing something in the engineering area," he said.
Demand for action to tackle inequalities
A survey of GCSE results in England suggests that the Covid-19 pandemic and cost-of-living crisis continue to have a disproportionate impact on some regions, such as the north east, where incomes are relatively low.
Stubborn disparities remain between different parts of the country, according to education leaders, who are demanding action to tackle the inequalities following the publication of the figures by England's exams regulator, Ofqual.
The gap in results between private and state schools has also widened at the highest grades.
More than twice as many students from private schools scored in the top three grades this year, compared to those from comprehensive schools and academies.
The figures have sparked fresh concerns among social mobility experts about inequalities in the education system and widening attainment gaps between rich and poor youngsters.
