Sir, – Further to ("Third-level students struggle with maths", December 9th), Ireland has a catch-22. The catch is that almost all university degree courses require Leaving Cert maths for entry. Due to the shortage of places, higher-level points are necessary. Many candidates lack that innate numerical ability necessary to understand higher-level maths. Dumbing down then is necessary to keep up appearances. As a result undergraduates cannot cope with their maths and science courses. For many years I have taught maths – both A-level in England and Leaving Cert in Ireland. And in Ireland, so as not to appear a hypocrite, I have always told my students with a language bias that maths is boring and pointless. I didn't have to say that back in England. Why? Because there maths is not a compulsory requirement for university entry. The answer to the catch-22 is obvious. For arts courses we must only require junior cert-level maths.
What little maths is useful in arts and many science-based courses can easily and efficiently be acquired on the spot. Of course, the mathematical lobby will roll out their big guns, but I have always resisted the temptation to repeat that guff about training the mind or doing your income tax. Take it from me – arts graduate never use algebra. – Yours, etc,
ROBERT IRWIN,
Limerick,