Number of Leaving Cert science students continues to rise

THE number of students taking science subjects for the Leaving Certificate has increased, continuing the reversal of a downward trend in the late 1990s.

The rise in numbers sitting physics and chemistry comes against a background of concern in industry and Government over the uptake of physical sciences.

Figures from the State Examinations Commission show 9,118 candidates have chosen physics as one of their subjects in June. Although this is the same percentage of overall exam students as last year 16% it represents an increase of 120 physics papers being taken.

Similarly, there is a slight increase in chemistry students for this year's Leaving Certificate, up almost 300 on 2002 to 6,939, or 13% of all candidates. In 1990, 20% of Leaving Cert students chose physics and 16% sat chemistry, but these figures fell every year up to last year.

While efforts are being made to increase interest in science with a revised Junior Certificate syllabus, teachers are wary of changes. The Teachers Union of Ireland decided last week not to implement the new course, due to be introduced from next September. They said it could not be taught in schools which have inadequate facilities as up to 40% of second level schools do not have proper facilities.

A spokesperson for Education Minister Noel Dempsey said his department is examing how schools can be suitably equipped to teach the new syllabus and schools would be given full details within the next few weeks.

"In addition, discussions will be held with relevant teacher unions and management bodies in the coming week," he said.

For this year's Junior Certificate, 50,375 students have chosen science, down almost 1,000 on last year and from over 55,000 five years ago.

The report of the Task Force on the Physical Sciences last year recommended science be made a core subject for Junior Certificate.