Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 23 together.

A high level of mathematical achievement is vital for Ireland. We need to improve attainment levels in maths and encourage more students to take higher level maths. A major programme of reform in mathematics under Project Maths is under way in 24 schools. The overall aim is to teach mathematics in a way that promotes real understanding, where students can appreciate the relevance of what they are learning, its application to everyday life and how it can be used to solve problems. While Project Maths is designed to promote more positive attitudes and higher attainment in mathematics in the longer term, there is a need for a more immediate incentive that will successfully encourage more students to take higher level mathematics.

I am aware that students weigh up the time and effort versus the reward associated with taking honours maths in the context of the CAO points system. This is why I indicated that we could send a clear signal to our second level student population with the introduction of CAO bonus points for achievement in leaving certificate mathematics at higher level.

Legally, the criteria for admission to higher education institutions are matters for decision by the institutions themselves. The academic councils of these institutions determine the admission arrangements for students. I have written to the president of the Irish Universities Association, the chairman of the Institutes of Technology of Ireland and the president of the Dublin Institute of Technology asking them to give early and favourable consideration to the matter in the context of a suitably devised bonus points system that will successfully encourage more students to sit higher level maths in the leaving certificate. I look forward to their response in the matter.

I have no plans to award bonus points through the leaving certificate examination. The remit of the State Examinations Commission is to operate certificate examinations that assess and certify attainment in accordance with the learning objectives set out in the syllabus devised by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, and the various subjects. Marks awarded are all based on published marking schemes and candidates can review their scripts. The awarded bonus points for maths unrelated to achievement would mark a departure from the long-standing practice to treat all subjects individually based on the published marking scheme with no attempt to assess weightings between subjects. Bonus points through this route would call into question the integrity of the examination system.

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