asked the Minister for Education if she has had any recent report on the standard of teaching mathematics in primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Primary Schools Mathematics Standard.
3.
A report has been prepared by my Department's curriculum unit based on a survey of mathematical attainment in sixth standard conducted in 1984.
In general, the results show little change over the five year period since a similar survey was conducted in 1979. While there were some significant gains in relation to a number of the objectives, these were counterbalanced by reductions in regard to others.
Arrangements are being made for the publication of the report and its issue to schools.
I note the Minister said that the most recent report was issued in 1984. Is she aware of claims by a Dublin teacher, an acknowledged expert on the teaching of mathematics, that 25 per cent of students entering second level schools attain a "no grade" in mathematics?
I should like to dissuade the Deputy from quoting at Question Time.
Is the Minister aware of the claim by that teacher that 33 per cent of students seeking places in secondary schools have attained a "D" grade, or below, in mathematics? If that is so I should like to hear the Minister's response. If the allegation is true it is very serious and needs to be investigated. Has the Minister any plans to investigate that allegation?
I must admit I am not aware of the allegation or of the gentleman referred to. However, if the Deputy says he is an expert in mathematics then he must be. If I was to investigate every allegation made by teachers I would have a difficult time. However, I share the Deputy's understandable anxiety about the alleged lacuna in mathematics attainments at primary level. That is one of the issues that is being addressed by those reviewing the primary curriculum. The report I referred to in my reply stated that when the 1979 and 1984 results were compared it was remarkable how closely the results mirrored each other for each objective. It dealt with various concept developments, geometry, mathematics and metrics. It stated that pupils can add, subtract and do long multiplication very successfully but had difficulty with long division. The publication of that report will heighten an awareness of the problems referred to by the Deputy.
Will the Minister accept that it is foolish of her to ignore the statement I referred to, a copy of which I will pass on to her? If there is any substance to the allegation, will the Minister accept that the matter is more urgent than she seems to realise? If the allegation is not contradicted by the Minister it will be easy for parents to lose confidence in the primary school system and its capacity to teach mathematics sufficiently well. In this era of computerisation, mathematics and physics are very important since they are the basic language of all computer programmes.
The Deputy should avoid making a statement.
Will the Minister either confirm or deny the statement I referred to as soon as possible? This is an urgent matter.
I do not know if it is a good idea to confirm or deny every statement that appears in newspapers about the education system. I would be worn out if I were to do that. I have great confidence in the primary school sector and in the capacity of primary teachers to impart the knowledge of mathematics to young students. However, there is always a need to review a curriculum and that is being done by the body I have established to review the primary curriculum.