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26/10/2009
Teachers' Qualifications 'Don't Add Up'
A parliamentary question by a member of the opposition has revealed that over a third of Maths teachers in Irish Secondary schools are not qualified in the subject.
Fine Gael's Brian Hayes accused the Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe of being "asleep at the wheel" on the issue, after putting the question to him under the Freedom of Information act.
Mr Hayes released the information this weekend after a Parliamentary Question he tabled showed that only 3,858 of the 5,900 Maths teachers at second level actually qualified in the subject.
“The fact that over 2,000 maths teachers do not have a Maths degree must be of some concern," the Fine Gael representative said.
“While the quality of Maths teaching is still high, it would obviously be an advantage that every teacher that taught Maths had actually studied it. Maths graduates should be given incentives to become teachers. One proposal would be to give a discount in fees to Maths graduates who do a HDip.
“However, Batt O’Keeffe is asleep at the wheel and has done little to address the problem. His much vaunted 'Project Maths' is under pressure."
Mr Hayes went on to say that only 16% of Leaving Cert students, chose to sit the Higher Level paper this year, which is down from level of 17% of students talking the paper.
He also pointed out that nearly two-thirds of students who sit Higher Level Maths at Junior Cert level drop to Ordinary Level for the Leaving Cert.
Mr Hayes went on to say: "A new approach is needed that encourages second level students to opt for Higher Level Maths and then choose science and technology courses at third level. Providing bonus points for Higher Level Maths is one way of doing this."
Irish students come 16th out of the 30 OECD countries in maths. The subject is dogged by persistently high failure rates in Leaving Cert maths with more than 4,000 having failed the subject this year.
(DW/BMcc)
Fine Gael's Brian Hayes accused the Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe of being "asleep at the wheel" on the issue, after putting the question to him under the Freedom of Information act.
Mr Hayes released the information this weekend after a Parliamentary Question he tabled showed that only 3,858 of the 5,900 Maths teachers at second level actually qualified in the subject.
“The fact that over 2,000 maths teachers do not have a Maths degree must be of some concern," the Fine Gael representative said.
“While the quality of Maths teaching is still high, it would obviously be an advantage that every teacher that taught Maths had actually studied it. Maths graduates should be given incentives to become teachers. One proposal would be to give a discount in fees to Maths graduates who do a HDip.
“However, Batt O’Keeffe is asleep at the wheel and has done little to address the problem. His much vaunted 'Project Maths' is under pressure."
Mr Hayes went on to say that only 16% of Leaving Cert students, chose to sit the Higher Level paper this year, which is down from level of 17% of students talking the paper.
He also pointed out that nearly two-thirds of students who sit Higher Level Maths at Junior Cert level drop to Ordinary Level for the Leaving Cert.
Mr Hayes went on to say: "A new approach is needed that encourages second level students to opt for Higher Level Maths and then choose science and technology courses at third level. Providing bonus points for Higher Level Maths is one way of doing this."
Irish students come 16th out of the 30 OECD countries in maths. The subject is dogged by persistently high failure rates in Leaving Cert maths with more than 4,000 having failed the subject this year.
(DW/BMcc)
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11 September 2013
Ministers Congratulates Students Receiving Junior Cert Results
The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn TD, congratulated the 59,823 young people and those returning to education who are receiving their Junior Certificate results today. This is the highest number of students to sit the exams in recent years and is an increase of 1.7% on last year's number.
Ministers Congratulates Students Receiving Junior Cert Results
The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn TD, congratulated the 59,823 young people and those returning to education who are receiving their Junior Certificate results today. This is the highest number of students to sit the exams in recent years and is an increase of 1.7% on last year's number.
14 September 2011
Junior Cert Results Published
Over 50,000 anxious students will open their Junior Certificate results today. More than half a million individual grades in 26 different subjects have been delivered to secondary schools nationwide. It is understood that 15 high achievers have received 12 A grades while 115 secured 11 As and 269 were awarded 10 As.
Junior Cert Results Published
Over 50,000 anxious students will open their Junior Certificate results today. More than half a million individual grades in 26 different subjects have been delivered to secondary schools nationwide. It is understood that 15 high achievers have received 12 A grades while 115 secured 11 As and 269 were awarded 10 As.
18 August 2010
Concern Over Maths Leaving Cert Results
This years Leaving Cert results are in, but for many math students, the day will be tainted as high failure rates in the subject have become the main talking point. Some 4,300 students failed the maths exam, while failure rates in science subjects at both higher and ordinary level were far higher than in other subjects.
Concern Over Maths Leaving Cert Results
This years Leaving Cert results are in, but for many math students, the day will be tainted as high failure rates in the subject have become the main talking point. Some 4,300 students failed the maths exam, while failure rates in science subjects at both higher and ordinary level were far higher than in other subjects.
30 November 2012
Disappointing Performance From Irish Students On PISA Maths Test
As part of PISA 2012 in Ireland, a nationally representative sample of mathematics teachers took part in a survey in March 2012. A report on the survey was published today by the Educational Research Centre (ERC), St Patrick's College, Drumcondra.
Disappointing Performance From Irish Students On PISA Maths Test
As part of PISA 2012 in Ireland, a nationally representative sample of mathematics teachers took part in a survey in March 2012. A report on the survey was published today by the Educational Research Centre (ERC), St Patrick's College, Drumcondra.
18 August 2011
'Take Pride' In Leaving Cert, Says Quinn
Ireland's Leaving Cert students should be 'rightly proud' of their achievements. The Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn has sent his congratulations to the country's 57, 532 Leaving Certificate students who are receiving their examination results today. "All of you should be rightly proud of your achievements.
'Take Pride' In Leaving Cert, Says Quinn
Ireland's Leaving Cert students should be 'rightly proud' of their achievements. The Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn has sent his congratulations to the country's 57, 532 Leaving Certificate students who are receiving their examination results today. "All of you should be rightly proud of your achievements.
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Ireland WeatherToday:A mostly cloudy start with scattered showers, the showers becoming more isolated and largely confined to the south this morning. Becoming brighter this afternoon, the best of any sunnier spells across northern counties. Northerly winds easing. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:A dry evening with late sunny spells and some long clear spells overnight. Becoming cloudier across the north towards dawn with a few showers possible. Touch of frost in south. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
