Professor ?ine Hyland:

I agree. There is a mismatch in a way between current developments, such as the changes in the junior cycle and leaving certificate, and the examination and assessment, the State Examinations Commission and the NCCA, which has been pointed out before. There are also the very skeletal programmes, syllabi or specifications, as they are called, that are coming out now for the proposed new leaving certificate subjects. I do not think they give enough information to teachers and they do not go into sufficient depth. There is a real risk that standards will begin to fall.

The committee has heard this from the Irish Science Teachers Association.

Regarding love of the subject, I have six grandsons and have brought them to science museums and science centres in different countries. It really sets their interest and enthusiasm on fire when they are in a non-school environment, as well as being in school. The additional impetus, interest and enthusiasm that one can see emerging when they are in a children's science centre where they are completely free to interact with different exhibits, and where they have support from mentors of different ages and stages within the science centres, really sets them on fire to some extent. It is great. This is an investment that Ireland can certainly afford and from which it will get a return. The Minister who supports this and goes with it will be the Donogh O'Malley of the 21st century. We are committed. The STEM education implementation plan contains a total commitment by Government regarding STEM education. We have heard about the areas in schooling where some extra investment would be helpful. This relatively small investment will be matched by private investment. This is a social enterprise. It would really give a boost to STEM education.