HERE in Ireland, we tend to take the ability to read and write for granted. After all, we have produced some of the world’s finest writers and we have a long tradition of literacy.

The new Project Maths syllabus will “leave students wholly unprepared for the study of engineering, science, and mathematics at third level”, according to a group of leading academics.

THE first examination of a maths syllabus designed to reverse waning student interest in the subject will be taken by 1,800 students this morning.