Report highlights lack of Stem subject options in many all-girls schools

Transition year students Jahnavi Reddy Tumma and Julianne Diskin at the launch of the 2024 I Wish Report. Picture: Naoise Culhane

Almost one in three (32%) all-girls schools in Ireland do not offer their students the chance to study Stem subjects beyond maths and science, according to the 2024 I Wish Report.

In contrast, 96% of all-boys schools were found to offer their students subjects such as engineering, applied maths, and construction studies.

Girls made up just 9% of the students studying Leaving Cert engineering in 2022, and 19% of the students studying Leaving Cert technology.

In mixed schools where the subjects were available to both boys and girls, differences still occurred. With the exception of biology and chemistry, significantly more boys are studying Stem subjects.

Transition year students Raniya Sheharyar, Lauren Atkinson,Jahnavi Reddy Tumma, and Mona Zhu.

The national survey conducted by I Wish revealed that a third of teenage girls (33%) say that stereotypes such as the belief boys are inherently better at maths, engineering, or technology continue to discourage girls from entering Stem fields.

A further 60% cited gender inequality as the main obstacle to a career in Stem fields. This figure has dropped from 83% in the 2021 annual I Wish Report.

“The World Economic Forum 2024 report warns that by 2025, 97m jobs could be displaced by AI, yet only 28.2% of the current Stem workforce is female," said I Wish co-founder Gillian Keating.

"We must empower girls to pursue careers in Stem to cultivate a diverse and innovative future workforce. We have found that from 2018 to 2022, there has been a 37% increase in girls engaging with at least one Stem subject. While this progress is encouraging, we must intensify our efforts.

"We are advocating for a holistic, society-wide approach to tackle these challenges. This includes integrating stories of women in Stem into all subjects at primary level and promoting Stem-focused community projects as part of the sixth-class curriculum.

"For secondary education, I Wish calls for introductions to locally-based female Stem professionals, equality of access to Stem subjects across single-sex and mixed schools, and training to tackle gender stereotypes.” 

Taoiseach Simon Harris with transition year students Julianne Diskin and Jahnavi Reddy Tumma  at the launch of the 2024 I Wish Report. Picture: Naoise Culhane

Girls taking part in the survey said that when it comes to a career, they valued having a good salary and a work-life balance most. Students who took part in the newly launched iWish primary programme said they felt capable of studying Stem subjects after taking part. The programme is aimed at boosting girls’ confidence in Stem from a younger age through role models and industry visits.

The survey findings reflect what I Wish has observed over the last 11 years, according to I Wish co-founder Caroline O'Driscoll. 

"While girls often show confidence in their abilities at a young age, this confidence dips as they transition from tween to teen," she said.

"This could be attributed to factors such as rising social media usage, a lack of role models, stereotypes, and unconscious gender bias. 

"By intervening at this critical juncture, we can help girls retain their confidence in their abilities and view Stem as a space where they can excel, ultimately leading to a more equitable and innovative future.”