More than nine of out 10 pupils are staying at school to complete their Leaving Certificate, according to a Department of Education study.
The survey details the retention rates for pupils who entered the junior cycle in 2007 and shows that retention rates for girls are now almost 8 per cent higher than in 1997, while the equivalent for men is nearly double the figure at 15 per cent.
This means the difference in the numbers of boys and girls staying to do the Leaving Cert have narrowed significantly.
In 1997 the gender gap in the retention rate between boys and girls for the 1997 intake was almost 11 per cent, the department confirmed. This gap has now closed to 3 per cent for the 2007 intake.
“I am particularly pleased to see the significant increase in the number of young men staying on to complete the senior cycle,” said Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn. “This is a very welcome development.”
He added: "Ireland's high retention rates at second level also ties in with our commitments in the Youth Guarantee, which I jointly launched with my colleague Minister Joan Burton last week. We want to see as many young people as possible staying in education and gaining the right skills and knowledge to be able to secure fulfilling jobs."
The school retention rate is mixed across the State with nearly 93 per cent staying on at school in Meath while the equivalent figure for Carlow is 84 per cent.
A small gap between the sexes remains with just over 88 per cent of males and nearly 92 per cent of females staying on to take their Leaving Cert.
Mr Quinn also praised the performance of DEIS schools which focus on addressing the needs of pupils from disadvantaged communities.
“It is also very heartening to see that the retention rates in DEIS schools continues to increase and is now at 80.4 per cent for those who entered second level in 2007,” he said.
“I would like to see this gap narrow, but it is further proof that our DEIS programmes in disadvantaged areas are working.”
The Department also welcomed survey data which show that last year the proportion of early school leavers in the State was 9.7 per cent, down from 10.6 per cent the previous year, and well below the EU average of 14 per cent.
Ireland also has one of the highest proportions of persons aged between 20 and 24 with at least a higher secondary education in the EU, and ranks 8th of 28 member states. Ireland's rate of 87 per cent is significantly above the EU average of 80 per cent.
