For thousands of students, yesterday marked the final task of their school life – opening that brown envelope which contained their passport to the future.
A-level results day is always one of plenty of highs and some lows. Northern Ireland continues to have more of the former than the latter.
After a summer building to results day, there will be plenty of relief the day is over – not least among parents who are often more nervous than their children. But it’s important to remember, on a day when comparisons with each other and with results of years past are always brought up, that each year is different, each student is unique.
Some will excel in sciences, some in English, some have sporting talent, some have a vocation they will be called to.
Education is not a competition. It’s about schools and teachers helping young people become the best adults they can be. And if we want to continue providing a first-class educational journey, first-class financial support and facilities have to be provided too.