Curriculum and exam setters must ensure a vital skill is not further weakened by guaranteeing that a full algebra question will be asked in a shortened Junior Certificate final exam, the chairman of the Irish Maths Teachers Association has urged.

The body which designed the Project Maths syllabus says it will take on board the concerns of teachers about its length and suitability.

Maths teachers say the Project Maths syllabus is too long to cover in class and exams could be penalising students with literacy difficulties.

Maths teachers are witnessing a huge increase in the numbers of fifth-year students opting for the subject at higher level.