Minister for Education Mary Hanafin has moved to back a new system of bonus CAO points for Leaving Cert grades in maths and science, amid increasing concern about the fall-off in student interest in these key areas, writes Seán Flynn, Education Editor
Ms Hanafin wants the Higher Education Authority (HEA) - which runs the university sector - to examine a system where students would secure extra CAO points for maths and science if they opt for a third-level course in these broad areas.
She favours a system whereby students scoring good Leaving Cert grades in science, for example, would secure bonus points if they opted for a science-related course.
Similarly, high achievers in maths would gain extra CAO points if they chose a course with a strong maths component.
Interviewed by The Irish Times yesterday, she said: "I am not talking about bonus points across the board. That would be unfair. What we are examining is a bonus points system that would be course specific - something which would give Leaving Cert students an additional incentive to opt for third-level options with a strong maths or science component."
Demand for bonus points in maths and science has been increasing. This year, the Royal Irish Academy (a group of academics) and the Government's national strategy for science, technology and innovation called for dramatic incentives, such as a bonus point system.
Bonus points were given for maths until two decades ago. At present, University of Limerick is the only university to offer bonus CAO points for maths.
Most educationalists acknowledge that higher level maths is, by some distance, the most searching Leaving Cert subject. In recent years, many students have deserted maths and science subjects at higher level, opting instead for subjects perceived to be "easier".
This year, only 9,000 students, or less than 20 per cent of Leaving Certs, took higher level maths. In science, only 5,200 sat higher level physics while just 5,700 sat higher level chemistry.
Ms Hanafin said the Republic, ranked as average in OECD tables on maths and science, needed to move to the top flight. "Being average is not good enough. We need to move on if we are to achieve our ambition of a knowledge economy."
The Minister also called on third-level institutions, in particular the institutes of technology, to allow students to gain entry with foundation level maths. There was no reason why students taking third level courses in areas such as recreation and leisure management needed ordinary level maths, she said.
Figures released yesterday showed girls again outperforming boys in virtually all Leaving Cert subjects. Girls also secured 6,000 more A grades than boys.