EDUCATION:THE INTRODUCTION of bonus CAO points for students taking higher level maths in the Leaving Cert and new measures to commercialise academic research are among the key task force recommendations in education.

Task Force members say they are broadly impressed with the quality of the education system, but they stress that an educational system which fosters independent thinking, creativity and innovation is vital for a smart economy.

This is seen as a robust criticism of the Leaving Cert exam where the emphasis remains firmly on rote-learning.

The report says higher-level mathematics will be a key determinant of Ireland’s ability to create a cohort of top tier, world-class engineering and science graduates. It is also a fundamental requirement for the development of a world-class research and innovation system in Ireland.

The report endorses the new Project Maths programme introduced recently by Minister for Education Batt O’Keeffe.

The programme, which is being piloted in 24 schools, puts a new emphasis on problem-solving and practical maths. It will be rolled out across the State from 2012.

The report proposes additional measures to promote the take-up of higher-level maths, including bonus CAO bonus points on a pilot basis.

It says this should start on a pilot basis with the 2012 Leaving Certificate, “so that this year’s LC cohort can make informed subject choices on commencing fifth year”.

At second level the report also recommends:

Increased investment in intensive training for mathematics teachers and the full roll-out of Project Maths;

Implementation of the new syllabuses in Leaving Certificate biology, physics and chemistry;

The introduction a new mentoring programme for teachers and talented students, involving experienced mathematicians, engineers and scientists who are encouraged to make a wider contribution to advancing the quality of teaching and learning in their discipline.

The report says innovation and creativity must be promoted at all levels of the education system.

In higher education, it strongly supports rationalisation, collaboration and alliances such as the TCD-UCD Innovation Alliance and the NUIG-UL Strategic Alliance.

However, in a signal of support for student tuition charges, it notes; “Looking to the future, we must develop sufficient revenue streams to sustain excellence in our third-level colleges.”

The report says many of the building blocks to support the innovation transformation have been laid. But the overall soundness of the current strategic direction “must not blind us” to areas at each level of the education system where there is significant room for improvement, it says.

The report notes how higher education research and development spending has almost quadrupled in current terms over 10 years and is now at the EU and OECD average levels. It notes that the proportion of 24-34-year-olds with at least degree-level education is significantly higher than the OECD and EU average.

“However, there are two big dangers as we see it.

“Firstly, that investment in knowledge creation will not be maintained and secondly, higher education institutions will fail to build the connections with industry to ensure that this research gets commercialised.”

The report says third-level colleges must strengthen the commercialisation function and increasingly generate economic value from the intellectual property generated. They should also collaborate with and support entrepreneurs and enterprises in research, innovation and commercialisation and provide associated skills through life-long learning.

The task force says there is a need to create top tier, world-class engineering and science graduates who are versed in the very latest technology developments world-wide.

One way to achieve this, it says, is to increase participation in world-leading institutions abroad and with an incentive for these engineers and scientists work in Ireland during their careers.

It backs the introduction of a new programme to incentivise participation in certain postgraduate courses in the world’s top 10 engineering and science schools by individuals who would then return to work in Ireland.

One approach would be a limited tax relief futures scheme, which would allow successful graduates avail of a personal tax relief to offset their tax liabilities arising from employment within the State. An alternative would be a two-way mobility programme between Ireland and international third level colleges.

All third level colleges, it adds, should introduce initiatives to cultivate innovation and entrepreneurship at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, drawing where appropriate on the model proposed by the TCD-UCD Alliance.