asked the Minister for Education if he will state the percentages of boys taking science at (a) the Intermediate Certificate, and (b) the Leaving Certificate examinations; the proportion which passed in each case; whether these proportions are higher or lower than those obtaining in relation to other subjects; further, what steps he proposes to take to guide education in secondary schools away from a preoccupation with Latin, Greek and modern languages, towards scientific subjects, particularly in respect of pupils, who intend to study agriculture and engineering at universities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Science Courses in Secondary Schools.
The percentage of boys from secondary schools who presented science subjects at the certificate examinations in 1957 was as follows:—
|
Intermediate Certificate |
65% |
|
Leaving Certificate |
50% |
The percentage of those presenting the subjects who passed in each case was:—
|
Intermediate Certificate |
74% |
|
Leaving Certificate |
86% |
These percentages of passes compare with the general average percentage of 82 for all other subjects at the Intermediate Certificate and of 84 for all other subjects at the Leaving Certificate examination.
With regard to the second part of the question, I cannot accept the suggestion that education in our secondary schools is unduly preoccupied with Latin, Greek and modern continental languages and I say, for the Deputy's information, that the percentages of boys who presented these subjects at the Department's examinations in 1957 were as follows:—
|
Latin |
Greek |
Modern Continental Languages |
|
|
Intermediate Certificate |
91 |
16 |
17 |
|
Leaving Certificate |
89 |
16 |
12 |
Moreover, Latin or Greek is an obligatory subject of the Matriculation examination of the National University of Ireland for the faculties of art, law, medicine (including dentistry) and veterinary medicine, while Latin, Greek or a modern continental language is obligatory for entry to the faculties of science, commerce, architecture, general agriculture and dairy science and engineering.
In view of this position, the suggestion made by the Deputy does not arise.