Project Maths is causing more students to fail higher maths

As the new school year begins, the annual drama caused by Project Maths is enacted in schools all over the country. The number of candidates failing higher maths increased from 420 in 2013 to 640 in 2014.

The increase in the failure rate is due in no small part to the 1,000 weak/poorly prepared candidates who unrealistically try for the 25 CAO bonus points. Next year’s candidates, their parents and teachers would do well to ponder the question: Is the Project Maths honeymoon period for easy D grades over?

The problem is compounded by the fact that around half of the weak cohort achieve the nirvana of a D3 grade or higher. This grade inflation is courtesy of the chief examiners engineering a favourable result to allow successive ministers claim the spending of €120 million on Project Maths is a success. Exam candidates know the results are artificially inflated and swarm for the bonus points. Who can blame them? Will this grade inflation continue? Probably, yes.

This artificial inflation, plus the priceless 25 CAO bonus points, means the spectre of at least 500 candidates failing each year, will be with us for the foreseeable future. A failure will pose major problems for those who compile enough points for their chosen college course but do not meet the entry requirement (a pass in maths).

This conundrum for candidates, their teachers and parents will be a source of contention.

Brendan Guildea

Co-author of 14 books for Project Maths.

Townparks

Skerries

Co Dublin