Failure to change course hitting maths standards

STUDENTS are starting college without an adequate level of maths for top jobs because of government inaction to change the courses in schools, a leading academic has claimed.

The high failure rate at ordinary level maths and the fact that fewer Leaving Certificate students are choosing higher level maths was raised as a cause of concern when results were issued each summer for the past four or five years.

Only one in six school leavers sat the higher level exam last year and more than 4,000 out of 35,000 who took ordinary level maths failed the exam.

Donal Hurley, senior lecturer at University College Cork’s maths department, said there have been no changes despite promises from Education Minister Mary Hanafin.

“Every August, when results come out, the minister expresses concern, along with various organisations representing businesses and employers,” he said.

“People talk about Ireland as a knowledge economy, but say that maths is a fundamental problem. People have been talking about curriculum reform but why is that taking so long?”

Mr Hurley said graduates with top mathematics skills are needed in IT, financial services and other sectors.

“You can design a perfect curriculum but unless it’s properly resourced and implemented with in-service training for teachers, it’s pointless. If they’re going to bring in a new approach, teachers need to be familiarised with it,” he said.

Some experts have suggested the awarding of bonus college points for students who choose Leaving Certificate higher level maths, although Ms Hanafin suggests such a scheme should only be used in applications for science and engineering courses.

Mr Hurley believes such a move would only be a short-term solution but that instead, parents have a role to play in encouraging greater interest in maths.

“The GAA and the FAI stress the importance of underage activities if you want to get players at the top level, but that involves the dedication of parents as well as coaching,” he said.

“If Mary comes home with an injury after training, parents don’t stop her going again, they say try again, the same should apply with maths homework or tests.”