Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 40: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the failure rate in science at junior certificate level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13317/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I share the Minister's view that nobody wants to see people labelled as failures but we must face the reality about the science subjects. The rate has been more or less consistent in recent years but the record is still bad. I am concerned also about the uptake in the subject when students progress to the leaving certificate programme.

The new junior certificate science syllabus is good and will, I hope, make the subject more interesting for students. We will be able to judge the success of the new syllabus following the junior certificate examinations in June 2006. I understand that the mistakes to which I referred are found in the guidebook given to teachers. The Department was informed of these mistakes some time ago but the mistakes have not been rectified, even though students will sit the examinations in June. These mistakes are becoming apparent in the teaching of practicals because they are present in the guidebook used by teachers. I do not know if this serious matter has been brought to the attention of the Minister.

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

While we are concerned about failure rates in any subject, the failure rates in science are no worse than those found in other subjects, particularly where students might be taking a subject at the wrong level. While the failure rate in higher level junior certificate science is 6.9%, the failure rate in higher level junior certificate history, a popular subject which is taken by virtually everyone, is 6.4%. The failure rate in ordinary level junior certificate science is 4.9%, but the failure rate in business studies is 6.5% and the failure rate in French is 11.7%. Obviously there will be failure rates in different subjects. The failure rate in science is no worse than those of other subjects but I hope that the new syllabus, with its practical element and experiments, will bring about better outcomes.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The failure rate in leaving certificate science is worse comparatively.

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am concerned about the take-up of science subjects at leaving certificate level. Despite the fact that we have invested quite heavily in resources, such as the summer work scheme, under which a number of schools will upgrade their science laboratories, there is a drop in the take-up of science subjects at leaving certificate from the healthy levels found at junior certificate level. The drop in the take-up of science subjects at third level is even more significant. Our economy urgently needs people to continue with science through to third level and postgraduate level.

There has been a slight improvement in participation rates in science subjects in the leaving certificate in recent years. In 2005, 14.7% of students studied physics, which represents an increase on the 2002 figure, 13.6% of students studied chemistry, which represents an increase on previous levels, and 46.9% of students studied biology, which represents an increase of over 3.5% on the previous year. We appear, therefore, to have halted the decline in the take-up of science subjects but it is important that we encourage more students to study them.

I have read about difficulties people were experiencing with the science syllabus, which support teams in the Department are trying to resolve.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Will the problems be addressed before the examinations in June? If there are any mistakes in the practicals, the students can only be judged on what they have been taught as opposed to what they should have been taught. This issue must be addressed before they sit the examinations.

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I will ensure that whatever measures need to be taken within the Department to identify problems are taken.