Higher maths less popular

FEWER students have opted for higher level papers in Leaving Certificate maths or sit science subjects despite efforts to increase interest.

Figures from the State Examinations Commission (SEC) reveal just 21% of the 50,000 Leaving Certificate maths candidates registered for the higher level paper.

The 10,457 students choosing the tougher exam is down from 11,098 at this stage last year, which was more than 22% of last year’s exam cohort.

The decrease in numbers choosing higher level maths may be a further blow to efforts to increase the number of students entering third level courses with a higher proficiency in maths, required for top level courses in engineering, science and other disciplines.

Education Minister Mary Hanafin has sought advice on ways to improve uptake on higher level maths, with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment examining the teaching of maths at second level.

The attempts to increase student participation in the physical sciences of physics and chemistry have also taken a blow, judging by the SEC figures.

The number of entries for physics is down slightly to 7,474 from 7,528 last year, a drop of almost 1% in line with the fall in overall candidates for exams this year.

However, there is a bigger fall in students taking chemistry, down 2% from 7,285 a year ago to 7,128.

There is better news in the uptake of higher level Irish, chosen by more than 42% of all those taking the subject this year, slightly up on 2006. There is also a rise in numbers sitting Irish papers, despite the overall drop in Leaving Certificate numbers to just over 52,000, the lowest in 20 years.

While just under 45,000 will sit an Irish paper at some level, it appears fewer have exemptions from taking Irish. The falling number of repeat students, who often drop Irish second time around, could be a factor.