The uptake of leaving certificate biology has remained fairly constant at approximately 50% of the cohort while the uptake of agricultural science has increased somewhat, albeit from a fairly low base. The uptake of the physical sciences, on the other hand, has been decreasing for some time.
The following initiatives to increase the uptake of the physical science subjects at leaving certificate are being implemented.
Last December, I established a task force on the uptake of the physical sciences at both second and third level. The membership of the task force is representative of a wide range of stakeholders and is chaired by Dr. Danny O'Hare, former President of Dublin City University. Two meetings of the task force have already taken place and the positions of science strategy co-ordinators are currently being filled. The brief of the task force is to identify the issues contributing to the falling uptake of the physical sciences and to recommend additional measures to address these issues. The work of the task force will range across both second and third level and will also interact with industry, thus providing insights for students into the many courses and careers that are available to them as a result of a study of the physical sciences.
Revised syllabi in leaving certificate physics and leaving certificate chemistry were introduced in September 2000 for first examination in June 2002. As well as the addition of new, up-to-date content, these syllabi have an increased emphasis on practical work and on the interface between science, technology and society. These changes are intended to highlight for students the relevance of these subjects to their everyday lives.