New proposals will make it harder to fail higher level papers in the Leaving Certificate.

CAO points will in future be awarded to those achieving between 30% and 39%.

This is instead of the current system, which sees anything below 40% marked as a fail.

Fifth year students from next September will be the first group to benefit from the scheme when their turn comes to face the state exams.

The plan will be brought to Cabinet by Education Minister Jan O'Sullivan tomorrow.

Speaking to Jonathan Healy on today's Pat Kenny Show, Founding Professor of the University of Limerick Ed Walsh welcomed the move, and says the Leaving Cert system is full of inconsistencies:

Brian Mooney is education columnist with The Irish Times. He told Newstalk Breakfast why this change is being proposed.

Originally posted at 8.33am