Madam, - It is commendable that the the low standards of second-level students' mathematical skills is highlighted in your Editorial of December 7th. However, I do not agree with your conclusion that the correct response is to change the Junior Cert syllabus once again. Perhaps we need to change not what we teach, but how we teach.
You point out that the PISA study proposes a greater emphasis on real-life applications in order to motivate students. This can be done through a suitable choice of examples and problems, and other teaching aids. To keep the interest of students, the subject needs to come alive in class. Changing the exam won't do that. - Yours, etc.,
NIALL MADDEN,
Caheroyan,
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Athenry,
Co Galway.