Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

Since 1975 each candidate who takes the junior certificate examination, the intermediate certificate prior to 1992, has been awarded a certificate showing the grades obtained in each subject in the range A through to NG, with no reference to failure, pass or honours. In this way no student is labelled a failure but is given due recognition for his or her achievements in each examination taken.

In the 2005 examination the proportion of school-based candidates obtaining grade E or less was 6.9%. The corresponding figure for candidates taking the ordinary level paper was 4.9%. While variations in these figures are to be expected from year to year, the 2005 results are broadly in line with the corresponding figures for previous years.

I am aware of the important role played by the sciences in a modern education system. Significant progress is being made in regard to curricular reform and in-service support for science at primary and post-primary levels. Science was introduced as a key component in the revised primary school curriculum in 1999 and it has been implemented in all schools since September 2003.

A revised junior certificate syllabus was introduced in September 2003, for first examination in 2006. This syllabus, with its hands-on investigative approach and new emphasis on scientific processes, will be particularly instrumental in encouraging more pupils to continue science in senior cycle, especially as the completion of 30 mandatory experiments will be a requirement for all students. Revised syllabi have been implemented for leaving certificate biology, physics and chemistry.

The introduction of curricular change in the sciences has been supported by comprehensive in-career development programmes for teachers. Additional equipment grants have been provided to schools, and laboratories continue to be refurbished as part of the ongoing schools building programme. A total of €16 million was invested in resources and laboratories in 2004 to support the implementation of the revised junior certificate science syllabus.

My Department is fully committed to strengthening the quality of science teaching and learning, promoting increased scientific literacy and encouraging more students to choose science subjects. Progress in these areas is a vitally important part of our national strategy to support competitiveness and employment. My Department's work in supporting and promoting science will continue to be progressed and enhanced, as resources permit, in collaboration and consultation with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, with Forfás and with industry.

See this speech in context