It is intended that Project Maths will be an important priority in relation to the overall call on resources in the education sector. Teachers will be fully supported to implement the reforms in Mathematics in second level schools.
The Project Maths initiative is designed to encourage better understanding of Maths, to reinforce the practical relevance of maths to everyday life, and to ensure better continuity between primary and second level, and junior and senior cycle. The initiative started in 2008 and is being piloted in 24 schools. The curriculum changes will be phased in over three years and mainstreaming will begin in 2010/11 in all schools, prefaced by a national programme of professional development for teachers beginning in 2009/10 which will continue to at least 2013. Phase 3 will have begun in all schools in 2012, and will be fully implemented in all class groups by 2015.
Project Maths will be supported by intensive investment in professional development for teachers. A Maths Support Team has been appointed and is currently supporting the project schools, as well as preparing for mainstream in-service development which will start in September 2009, followed by mainstream implementation starting in Sept 2010. The provision of the Support Team on the scale necessary for mainstream implementation has been prioritised within the overall number of posts available in the education sector. Some €3m has been provided for the programme in 2009 alone, and investment in professional development for teachers will continue in a rolling programme of reform.