Less than half of girls take science subject for Leaving Cert compared to almost two-thirds of boys

The number of girls studying at least one foreign language in sixth year is 82%, compared to just over 54% of boys. Picture: Mark Stedman/RollingNews.ie

A vast gap remains between Leaving Cert boys and girls studying science, technology, engineering, and maths (Stem) in schools, while the reverse pattern is seen in foreign languages.

The latest Education Indicators for Ireland report shows while the number of girls and boys studying one or more Stem subjects excluding maths is near parity, the number plummets when biology is taken out of the equation.