Olivia Mitchell
Question:89 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to increase participation in science subjects at second level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11753/00]
Written Answers. - Second Level Curriculum.
At junior certificate the level of participation in science is very satisfactory, with almost 90% of the cohort studying the subject.
At leaving certificate the level of participation in biology is also satisfactory, with approximately 47% of the cohort studying the subject. Although there has been a slight decline in recent years, this level of participation is high by international standards. In Scotland, for example, about one third of senior pupils study biology.
The issue of the uptake of the physical science subjects at leaving certificate level is a matter of concern to me for some time. The declining uptake of the physical sciences at leaving certificate level is a multifaceted problem and Ireland is by no means unique in this regard. In fact, it affects most countries in the developed world to a greater or lesser extent.
A wide-ranging initiative to address the issue is now being implemented. It includes the following elements: Revised syllabi in leaving certificate physics and leaving certificate chemistry are being introduced from next September, along with teachers' guidelines and comprehensive reference handbooks for teachers of these subjects. A review of the junior certificate science syllabus is being undertaken by the NCCA at present. A new physical science syllabus to replace the combined physics and chemistry syllabus, is being prepared by the NCCA at present. The accessibility of ordinary level examination papers in junior certificate science and in leaving certificate physics and chemistry has been addressed. A new format examination paper in junior certificate science will be introduced in this year's examination. The structure and layout of questions in leaving certificate physics and chemistry was initially addressed in the 1999 papers and it is intended that further progress will be made in this year's papers. Sample materials in relation to these adjustments to these papers have been circulated to schools. A comprehensive in-career development programme for teachers of physics and chemistry at both leaving certificate and junior certificate levels is being implemented. All teachers of leaving certificate physics and chemistry will have been provided with two and half days of in-service training by the end of this school year. A significant refurbishment programme for school laboratories is under way. Schools have recently been notified of a capital grant of £1,500 for the purchase of equipment and of funding of up to £2,500 towards the purchase of a PC and related hardware and software specifically for use in the science laboratories. An additionalper capita grant for pupils studying each of the three leaving certificate subjects physics, chemistry and physics and chemistry, was paid to schools last term.
I am very conscious of the importance of these subjects in the context of our economic development and I will continue to keep the situation in relation to these subjects under review. I am confident that the measures currently being implemented by my Department will make a significant contribution to addressing the issue of the declining uptake of the physical sciences.