Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 23 Jun 1998

Vol. 492 No. 7

Written Answers. - Science Teaching.

Michael Bell

Ceist:

103 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Education and Science if a large number of pupils fail to come through second level education who are competent to study physical sciences at third level will result in a collapse of the numbers willing to study science, engineering, physics and related subjects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14994/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

At the outset, it must be noted that science subjects at leaving certificte are a prerequisite in only a small number of third level courses in related areas. Also, candidates have a wide range of subject choices within the leaving certificate and generally study four additional subjects from a range of 27 subjects in addition to English, Irish and mathematics.

The percentage of the total leaving certificate cohort who are studying the physical sciences had increased until the mid-1980s but has decreased steadily since then. The current figures (96/97) are 12.3 per cent for chemistry and 16.4 per cent for physics.

My Department has implemented a number of interventions to encourage greater take-up of the physical science subjects. These have been particularly directed at increasing participation rates by girls who have been traditionally under-represented in this area of study. The interventions which include the introduction of the physical sciences in girls' only schools and the preparation of gender suitable material for use by pupils have been successful in this regard. However, I intend to take other initiatives, in the near future, to improve the take-up of the physical sciences to meet the increasing demands of the economy.