Debate over honours maths

The founder of one of the country's leading universities has said there may be some merit in giving recognition to those who fail Leaving Cert honours maths.

It emerged this morning that the Education Minister has asked college heads to accept students who fail the higher level maths paper.

Mary Coughlan is concerned at the thousands of pupils who drop to the ordinary level curriculum in the run up to the summer exams.

Ed Walsh, Founding president of the University of Limerick, said he believes the move could be made as part of a wider review of how maths in taught in our schools.