Sir, – Given the high failure rate in maths in the leaving Cert, it is not the curriculum our Minister for Education Richard Bruton needs to look at (“Bruton to take ‘hard look’ at maths”, August 18th) but the teachers and the teaching of maths.
Too many teachers drive a fear of maths at all levels from their own own inadequacies in the applications of the subject matter, their inability to nurture a love of maths and their own experience from inadequate maths learning. The encouragement of a love of maths and the many ways of doing calculations to produce wonder and results are what are needed, not curriculum review, which in Ireland tends to be a code for lower standards. –Yours , etc,
HUGH McDERMOTT,
Glasnevin,
READ MORE
Dublin 9.