Maths is optional

RÓISÍN LAWLESS asks if Enda Kenny will also propose that Maths be made an optional subject for the Leaving Cert, in view of the poor results obtained by students in recent years (Feb 12).

Ms Lawless may be interested to know that Maths is already an optional subject for the Leaving Cert.

In practice, however, the vast majority of schools consider Maths to be a “core” subject and require their students to sit the subject, leading to the misconception that it is compulsory.

There are 36 subjects on the Leaving Cert curriculum, and only Irish is compulsory for all students.

In this day and age, there is simply no justification for the continuation of this policy. Enda Kenny is to be commended for proposing the end of this anomaly and a fundamental reform of how Irish is taught.

Barry Walsh

Clontarf

Dublin 3