Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2009
595 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the prioritisation of mathematics through the discover science and engineering programme as set out in Building Ireland’s Smart Economy — A Framework for Sustainable Economic Renewal 2009-2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17613/09]
View answerMajor reform in Mathematics at junior and senior cycle has begun under the Project Maths Initiative. The objective is to teach Mathematics in a way which promotes real understanding, where students can appreciate the relevance of what they are learning and its application to everyday life, and how mathematics can be used to solve problems. In addition, Technology as a new subject in senior cycle was introduced in 2007, allied with a revised syllabus in Design and Graphic Communications. These subjects provide for a significant emphasis on student project work and on design, communication, ICT, CAD and practical skills and were accompanied by an investment of €15.5m in equipment for schools. 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.
It has been agreed that the remit of the Discover Science and Engineering programme will be extended to include mathematics, and my Department will work closely with the initiative and other interests in the roll out of Project Maths.
