There are a record number of first-class honours degrees being given to students.
The State's education watchdog is to investigate the reports after a 50% jump in first awards in the last 7 years.
More than a quarter of students received the top degree this year, up from 21% last year.
Guidance Counsellor and Education Columnist with the Irish Times, Brian Mooney, says society is obsessed with success:
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' We are always trying to push against this constant rising tide of expectation, that's pushing up the awards of firsts and then when you're getting so many firsts you're then trying to figure out how to differentiate between those who are really really talented. And when you think about it also , colleges compete with each other for students.'
