STEM Leaving Cert targets set for 2026 unlikely to be met, says Department report

The report said the rate of increase in recent years had been "less than that required". File image.

Targets to increase the number of students taking STEM subjects in the Leaving Certificate by 20% by 2026 are unlikely to be met, according to the results of a new study by the Department of Education.

The report on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education found there was only a 5% increase in the total number of students taking chemistry, physics, engineering and technology for the Leaving Certificate in 2019 compared to 2016.