School cuts in subjects ‘may affect investment’

The dropping of Leaving Certificate subjects by schools faced with staffing cuts could be damaging to the country’s chances of international investment, the chairman of the Higher Education Authority has said.

John Hennessy was responding to a survey among second-level principals that shows almost two thirds of schools are considering removing, or reducing provision for, a range of subjects because of budget cuts.

The HEA chairman said it would be regrettable, given the importance of maths and science to Ireland’s future, if the long-term consequences of reduced student choice were ignored by school managers faced with tough decisions.