One-third of schools may drop science subjects

ONE-third of second-level schools may have to cut the teaching of science subjects because of education cutbacks, a survey has found.

Increases in pupil-teacher ratios imposed last September mean schools have had to reorganise timetables because of reduced teacher numbers. A total of 14% of those responding to the research for the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) report they have dropped science subjects from their timetable this year. But a further one-in-five science teachers who took part said that, while their school had not dropped a science subject this year, they believe it is likely it will happen in the next school year.

More than 330 junior cycle science teachers took part in the Millward Brown Lansdowne survey.

It also emerged that 70% of schools have amalgamated higher and ordinary level science classes this year, while in one-in-10 schools’ fifth and sixth year science classes have been mixed together.

Physics was most likely to have been dropped, being the subject taken off the timetable by almost two-thirds of schools that have had to cut a science subject in the last year, while just 4% of schools have dropped biology.

ASTI general secretary John White said it is a matter of extreme concern that more than one-third of schools may have had to drop a science subject by the time second-level schools reopen after the summer holidays.

“Science education is vital to the development of the so-called ‘smart economy’ which, according to the Government, is predicated on having a highly skilled and flexible workforce. Science education will determine the availability and quality of jobs for today’s second level pupils,” he said.

These and other impacts of education cutbacks will be high on the agenda at the ASTI annual convention in Galway next week.