For the Leaving Cert students of 2026, the SEC (State Examinations Commission) have reintroduced the €116 fees for the students leaving cert, an exam students have been working towards for years that they have poured blood, sweat and tears into. These fee's are simply the beginning charge for the average student who studies 7 subjects and does 2 languages. This fee can increase depending on how many languages or subjects a student does. 

The Junior Cert also has its own set of fees: €109. A €7 difference. Now imagine having children who are sitting both the Junior AND Leaving cert. That is €225 on what is supposed to be 'free education'. 

These fees haven't been introduced since 2019, around the time Covid-19 hit. The 2026 students currently have the accommodations that were put in place due to covid, so why should they be charged for their negatively affected education?

This fee only adds to the financial pressure many families face due to inflation and the affects of the 2026 budget. This fee forces students to pay to sit the exam. To complete an exam they have no control over. 

By signing this petition, I hope this can reach the right people to either decrease the fees for the future leaving cert students or abolish them entirely. The fate of somebody's education shouldn't be decided by money they may be unable to pay.