Vol. 557 No. 4
216 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason students sitting the junior certificate in 2003 will not have a choice of questions on their mathematics paper, in common with the practice to date; his views on whether this will adversely impact on the performance of students, especially in view of the low uptake of honours mathematics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22226/02]
Revised syllabi for junior certificate mathematics were introduced into schools in September 2000 and will be examined for the first time in June 2003. One of the main purposes of the revision was to adjust the syllabus content at higher, ordinary and foundation levels to ensure they can be taught and learned in their totality in the time available for mathematics in the junior cycle and adequate levels of competence can be achieved by students.
Concerns have been expressed about the performance of students in leaving certificate mathematics. Among the reasons cited in chief examiner's reports for low grades are poor levels of understanding of basic mathematical skills and knowledge. The step to remove choice from the examination papers in the junior certificate was taken to encourage full coverage of the courses. The change was made as a positive step towards ensuring that students starting senior cycle mathematics will have covered common basic material and will have solid foundations upon which to develop their mathematical competence.
It should be noted that currently junior certificate foundation level students do not have any element of choice in their examination and all other candidates have a compulsory section on each paper that contains no choice. There is no evidence from students' performance in junior certificate mathematics examinations to date that those who have been afforded choice have used it to their advantage. In practice, many candidates have attempted all the questions on the papers. It is, therefore, expected that the decision to remove choice will not adversely affect students' performance or, indeed, their interest in taking higher level mathematics.
The context in which this decision has been made should also be noted. It has been made in conjunction with other changes that are intended to make the examinations more accessible and attractive to students. The style of the examination paper for ordinary and foundation level candidates has been altered. Also, a new format has been introduced for all questions.
