Vol. 403 No. 4
59 Mr. Taylor asked the Minister for Education her views on the recent statistical report released by her Department and the Higher Education Authority which showed that of the number of students taking higher course mathematics at senior cycle, 60 per cent were boys and of those taking senior cycle physics, 75 per cent were boys in the 1987-1988 academic year; the action she proposes to take; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I am not happy with the number of girls that sit for the examination in higher level mathematics in the leaving certificate. I must point out, however, that it is open to any pupil to choose either higher or ordinary level.
My Department make in-service courses available every year for those teachers who are taking or who wish to take higher level mathematics with their classes. In 1990, for example, 76 women teachers out of a total of 132 attended such a course in Cork while in 1989, 68 women teachers out of a total of 117 took part in Limerick. This increase in the number of women teachers attending such courses augurs well for an increase in the number of girls choosing higher level mathematics in the future.
I am concerned also at the under-representation of girls taking physics to higher level at the leaving certificate. The under-representation of girls in the physical sciences, particularly physics, is a worldwide phenomenon and the extent of it is remarkably constant throughout the developed world.
