Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Nov 2000

Vol. 526 No. 3

Written Answers. - Leaving Certificate Subjects.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

114 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Science the number and percentage of schools who do not offer physics and chemistry as a leaving certificate subject; the action his Department is taking to ensure a greater take-up of science subjects in the senior cycle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26515/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

There are three leaving certificate physical science subjects, namely physics, chemistry and a subject that combines elements of physics and chemistry. This latter subject is known as physics and chemistry.

Based on enrolments for the 1999-2000 school year, the total number of schools providing the leaving certificate programme was 730. Of these, 162 did not provide physics, 202 did not provide chemistry and 638 did not provide the combined subject – physics and chemistry. In percentage terms, this means that 22% of the schools did not provide physics, 28% did not provide chemistry and 87% did not provide the combined subject – physics and chemistry.

My Department is currently implementing a number of measures to increase the uptake of the physical sciences at senior cycle. These include the following: additional grants for the purchase of laboratory equipment, including ICT equipment, are being provided to schools. It is estimated that these grants will total in excess of £4.6 million in the current year; a special annualper capita grant of £10 for pupils taking leaving certificate physics and leaving certificate chemistry has been introduced; schools that currently have a capital project in architectural planning will have their science laboratories upgraded as an integral element of the capital project. For all other schools that offer the physical science subjects, consideration is being given to the possibility of providing an all-in grant to these schools to fund an upgrade of laboratories early in 2001; revised syllabi in leaving certificate physics and leaving certificate chemistry were introduced in September 2000; a review of the junior certificate science syllabus is being undertaken by the NCCA, particularly in respect of the physics and chemistry content of the syllabus; a new physical science syllabus to replace the present combined physics and chemistry syllabus is being prepared by the NCCA; a new format of examination paper in ordinary level junior certificate science has been introduced. In leaving certificate physics and chemistry the structure and layout of questions on the ordinary level papers has been revised; a comprehensive in-career development programme for teachers of physics and chemistry is now in its second year; increased provision has been made for pre-service training for teachers of physics and chemistry; comprehensive reference handbooks in both physics and chemistry have been produced and distributed to all second level schools. These handbooks have been provided in both printed and electronic formats.

I recently announced the setting up of a task force on the uptake of the physical sciences at both second and third level. The task force, to be chaired by Dr. Danny O'Hare, will provide an initial report to me in three months' time. Its brief is to identify the issues contributing to the falling uptake of the physical sciences and to recommend additional measures to address these issues. The work of the task force will complement and support the measures currently being implemented by my Department.