Universities agree to recognise bonus points for higher-level maths

Tánaiste Mary Coughlan has today welcomed confirmation from the Irish Universities Association that a scheme of bonus points for students taking Leaving Certificate higher level maths is to be introduced from 2012.

Confirmation of the decision from the universities comes after the Tánaiste requested the State’s higher level institutions to consider introducing such a scheme following her appointment as Minister for Education and Skills earlier this year.

Welcoming the decision, the Tánaiste said: “I welcome the decision of the Irish Universities Association today. The introduction of bonus points for maths sends a clear signal to our Leaving Certificate students about the importance we attach to the study of maths.

“I agree with the IUA that, alone, bonus points are not a ‘silver bullet’ that will fully address the underachievement identified in maths.

“Rather, their introduction, combined with the full implementation of Project Maths, which is revising the curriculum and retraining our maths teachers, should together see a step-change in higher level maths uptake and achievement from 2012 onwards.

“I am therefore fully committed to the roll-out of Project Maths and will continue to prioritise funding in that regard.

“I now look forward to the final deliberations of our Institutes of Technology and hope that they can join with the universities in allowing students to have their study of higher level maths rewarded in the IoT application process.”