Health and safety doubts over Junior Certificate science course

THE implementation of a new science course for Junior Certificate students looks uncertain as teachers consider the health and safety implications for schools without proper facilities.

Education Minister Noel Dempsey announced earlier this month schools which wish to begin teaching the new syllabus can avail of grants to upgrade their laboratories and equipment.

The new course requires much more practical experiments undertaken by students, in an effort to increase interest in science subjects for the Leaving Cert.