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.