Research centre aims to improve maths teaching across all levels

TEACHING methods being developed by colleges in the midwest could help reverse flagging interest in maths and science subjects among Leaving Certificate students.

Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe has come under pressure to overhaul the way the subjects are taught following results this week which showed less than one-in-six students took higher-level maths this summer and another drop in the numbers sitting physics.

The University of Limerick is leading a three-year research project to develop new methods for teaching maths and science, from primary to doctorate level.