I believe that the education system is good here, in Ireland, but with terrible curriculum.
When we start secondary school (12yrs old), we are forced to do 10 or 11 subjects. These would contain 4 core subjects: Irish, English, Maths, French (modern language). Then you have subjects like History, Geography, Business Studies, Technical Graphics, Art & Crafts, Science, Home Economics, Metal Work, SPHE, CSPE, Religion. You would usually do 6 or 7 of these subjects, although the choice varies between schools.
Then, when you are 15, you sit the Junior Certificate exam. (Like the GCSE's)
Once you come back to school, you choose 7 subjects to do for you Leaving Cert (equiv. A-Levels). Again, These core subjects are compulsory (Irish, English, Maths & French). The 3 extra subjects you choose, are generally branched out subjects of the ones in Junior Cert. Eg, In Business Studies, 3 subjects branch out from that - Accounting, Economics and Business Studies. With Science, you have Biology, Physics and Chemistry. etc etc.
You have 2 years to complete the course. Then you sit your Leaving Cert. Your best 6 subjects count towards your overall points. These points are vital for getting into University, or College. 600 is the maximum you can get.
Not really sure if this contributed to the thread, but I thought I might aswell give an insight into the education system in Ireland.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E ... n_the_Republic_of_Ireland