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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 11 Oct 2000

Vol. 523 No. 5

Written Answers. - Science Subjects.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

108 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans he has to address the falling numbers of students studying science subjects; and if he will establish a national science centre to supplement the teaching of science in schools to help glamorise the subject. [21389/00]

The issue of the declining numbers of students taking science subjects has been a source of concern for some time.

I should stress that the issue is one of the uptake of the physical sciences at senior cycle. At junior cycle the uptake of science has been fairly constant at close to 90% of the cohort for a number of years. At leaving certificate the uptake of biology, although it has shown some decrease in recent years, has been relatively constant in the longer term. Also at leaving certificate, uptake of agricultural science has actually increased somewhat in recent years albeit from a fairly low base.
My Department is currently implementing a range of initiatives with a view to addressing the declining interest in the physical sciences. A major programme of investment in modernising school science laboratories is being put in place. This involves the expenditure of some £12 million over three years. As part of this strategy, schools recently received a grant of £4,000 towards the purchase of laboratory equipment, including ICT equipment specifically for use in science laboratories. An additional per capita grant of £10 for each student studying physics or chemistry was introduced from September 1999.
New syllabi in both leaving certificate physics and leaving certificate chemistry were introduced in September 2000 for examination in June 2002. These syllabi include an increased emphasis on science, technology and society, STS and on practical work, as well as a revision of syllabus content. The NCCA is also currently undertaking a review of the junior certificate science syllabus.
The structure and layout of questions in the leaving certificate physics and leaving certificate chemistry ordinary level examination papers have been improved with a view to making these papers more accessible to the cohort of candidates for whom they are intended. At junior level, the format of the examination paper in ordinary level science was also changed this year.
A comprehensive in-career development programme for teachers of physics and chemistry has been under way since September 1999. During the 1999-2000 school year, all 900 teachers of physics and all 1,000 teachers of chemistry had the opportunity of attending two and a half days' in-service training. The programme is designed to run for a further two years.
Comprehensive reference handbooks for teachers of physics and chemistry have been distributed to every second level school in both printed and CD-ROM format.
Science resource centres have been established in selected regions. These centres, which are based in second level school laboratories, are designed to act as a focus for the provision of inservice training for science teachers. They also help in developing an ethos of mutual support among science teachers.
There is no room for complacency in relation to this issue and I am examining further strategies to build on current initiatives. The establishment of a national science centre must be considered in the context of the Government's overall strategy in this area.
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