13/08/2008
Concern Over Falling Interest In Maths
With the results of the Leaving Cert announced on Wednesday, business and opposition leaders are growing concerned over the continued falling performance in maths.
Almost 5,000 candidates failed maths in the Leaving Certificate, ruling them out of a raft of third-level courses.
The problem is being compounded by the simultaneous decrease in students studying science.
Fine Gael's Education & Science Spokesman, Brian Hayes TD, said the results in maths and science subjects have confirmed disturbing trends.
Mr Hayes added there was little doubt that Ireland's future economic development is being put at risk by the lacklustre uptake in these subjects and that the Government has failed to get a grip on the problem.
"The results have, once again, highlighted disturbing trends in maths and science areas. Only 17% of students, 8,510, taking Mathematics chose to sit the Higher Level Paper and this low level of uptake is of serious concern", said Mr Hayes.
The TD added: "Alongside this, one in eight students taking Ordinary Level Mathematics did not pass, a statistic that is identical to the numbers not passing in 2006 and 2007.
"This shows that the Government has made zero progress in promoting this vital subject."
However, not every student had bad news. One student at Intermediate School in Killorglin, Co Kerry achieved nine A1s in this year's exam.
A total of 13 students got eight A1s throughout the country and three students at CBC Sydney Hill in Cork got eight A1s with four schools in Dublin having students who also got eight A1s.
After years of falling numbers, there was a small increase of 55,000 in the number of candidates who sat the Leaving Certificate exam this year.
(DW)
Almost 5,000 candidates failed maths in the Leaving Certificate, ruling them out of a raft of third-level courses.
The problem is being compounded by the simultaneous decrease in students studying science.
Fine Gael's Education & Science Spokesman, Brian Hayes TD, said the results in maths and science subjects have confirmed disturbing trends.
Mr Hayes added there was little doubt that Ireland's future economic development is being put at risk by the lacklustre uptake in these subjects and that the Government has failed to get a grip on the problem.
"The results have, once again, highlighted disturbing trends in maths and science areas. Only 17% of students, 8,510, taking Mathematics chose to sit the Higher Level Paper and this low level of uptake is of serious concern", said Mr Hayes.
The TD added: "Alongside this, one in eight students taking Ordinary Level Mathematics did not pass, a statistic that is identical to the numbers not passing in 2006 and 2007.
"This shows that the Government has made zero progress in promoting this vital subject."
However, not every student had bad news. One student at Intermediate School in Killorglin, Co Kerry achieved nine A1s in this year's exam.
A total of 13 students got eight A1s throughout the country and three students at CBC Sydney Hill in Cork got eight A1s with four schools in Dublin having students who also got eight A1s.
After years of falling numbers, there was a small increase of 55,000 in the number of candidates who sat the Leaving Certificate exam this year.
(DW)
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26 October 2009
Teachers' Qualifications 'Don't Add Up'
A parliamentary question by a member of the opposition has revealed that over a third of Maths teachers in Irish Secondary schools are not qualified in the subject. Fine Gael's Brian Hayes accused the Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe of being "asleep at the wheel" on the issue, after putting the question to him under the Freedom of Information act.
Teachers' Qualifications 'Don't Add Up'
A parliamentary question by a member of the opposition has revealed that over a third of Maths teachers in Irish Secondary schools are not qualified in the subject. Fine Gael's Brian Hayes accused the Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe of being "asleep at the wheel" on the issue, after putting the question to him under the Freedom of Information act.
18 August 2010
Concern Over Maths Leaving Cert Results
This years Leaving Cert results are in, but for many math students, the day will be tainted as high failure rates in the subject have become the main talking point. Some 4,300 students failed the maths exam, while failure rates in science subjects at both higher and ordinary level were far higher than in other subjects.
Concern Over Maths Leaving Cert Results
This years Leaving Cert results are in, but for many math students, the day will be tainted as high failure rates in the subject have become the main talking point. Some 4,300 students failed the maths exam, while failure rates in science subjects at both higher and ordinary level were far higher than in other subjects.
11 December 2012
Irish Primary Pupils' Score Above National Average In Maths And Science
The Minister of State for Research and Innovation, Seán Sherlock TD, has welcomed a report examining Irish primary pupils' progress in maths and science in an international peer study. The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) provides details of student achievement in maths and science at primary level in 50 countries.
Irish Primary Pupils' Score Above National Average In Maths And Science
The Minister of State for Research and Innovation, Seán Sherlock TD, has welcomed a report examining Irish primary pupils' progress in maths and science in an international peer study. The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) provides details of student achievement in maths and science at primary level in 50 countries.
04 March 2010
O'Keeffe Opens Cork Science Labs
Irish Minister for Education and Science, Batt O'Keeffe was on hand yesterday to open two new science laboratories in St Fanahan’s College, Mitchelstown, Co Cork. The new laboratories are the result of an investment of more than €260,000 under the Department’s Summer Works Scheme.
O'Keeffe Opens Cork Science Labs
Irish Minister for Education and Science, Batt O'Keeffe was on hand yesterday to open two new science laboratories in St Fanahan’s College, Mitchelstown, Co Cork. The new laboratories are the result of an investment of more than €260,000 under the Department’s Summer Works Scheme.
18 August 2011
'Take Pride' In Leaving Cert, Says Quinn
Ireland's Leaving Cert students should be 'rightly proud' of their achievements. The Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn has sent his congratulations to the country's 57, 532 Leaving Certificate students who are receiving their examination results today. "All of you should be rightly proud of your achievements.
'Take Pride' In Leaving Cert, Says Quinn
Ireland's Leaving Cert students should be 'rightly proud' of their achievements. The Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn has sent his congratulations to the country's 57, 532 Leaving Certificate students who are receiving their examination results today. "All of you should be rightly proud of your achievements.