Fewer students opt for honours maths

THE number of students who will take higher level maths in the Leaving Certificate next month is down further on previous years as it has emerged that efforts to reverse the trend could take at least another three years.

Tánaiste and recently-appointed Education Minister Mary Coughlan indicated at Easter that she favours giving bonus points for college entry to students taking the subject to honours level. But she now says it will be up to each university and institute of technology to decide if they wish to do so.

The Irish Examiner also understands any such arrangements will not be finalised before next September, meaning it will be students sitting the Leaving Certificate in 2013 at the earliest who would benefit.