Investment in education is paying off

The results in PISA 2012 science tests have been hailed as testament to the long-term returns from Ireland’s investment in teacher training and curriculum reform in the subject.

The fact that scores in this test have risen dramatically over those in 2009 is being held up as evidence that the introduction of science as a primary subject in 1999 and the 2003 revised junior cycle syllabus have been successes.

But Department of Education chief inspector Harold Hislop said it is too early yet for PISA to show any outcomes from the literacy and numeracy strategy — being rolled out at primary and second level since 2011 — or from Project Maths.