Maths and science grades on the up

THE 58,000 students receiving Junior Certificate results today have achieved significantly better grades in maths and science compared to last year.

With much focus on poor Leaving Certificate results in maths and science subjects in recent years, the improved grades among younger students will offer hope to those wishing to see greater take-up of both subjects at higher level for school leavers.

Almost 78% of higher level maths candidates scored an honours grade — A, B or C — up over 3% on last year’s honours level. The 24,204 who attempted the higher level papers represent a 3.5% increase on 2005, despite just 2% more students sitting the Junior Certificate in June.

“It is particularly encouraging to see the increase in numbers taking higher level maths and the improvement in results at ordinary and foundation level maths,” education minister Mary Hanafin said last night.

A breakdown of grades from the State Examinations Commission (SEC) shows the honours rates at ordinary and foundation level rose 5% and 7% respectively to 75% and 85%.

The new Junior Certificate science syllabus which was examined for the first time in June reaped rewards for students, with 80.5% of those who took the higher level exam getting an A, B or C, up from 71% last year. Also encouraging is the drop in numbers failing the higher level paper, from more than 2,100 last year to 458.

The revised course focuses on students carrying out lab experiments, designed to increase interest in science.

The STEPS to engineering programme run by Engineers Ireland called on students to choose physics or chemistry for the Leaving Certificate to maximise their options and broaden their career opportunities.

Other subjects with improved grades include all levels of Irish, higher level English, Spanish, technical graphics and technology, along with ordinary level history, German, materials technology and metalwork.

Most Junior Certificate students will get their results at schools around the country but SEC chairman Richard Langford also congratulated the 1,300 adults who took the exam this year through education schemes.

Half a million individual grades in 25 subjects are being delivered to 28,547 female and 29,397 male candidates, who can access results online from 4pm.