Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 213: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the proposed new maths syllabus project codenamed project maths which has been designed to tackle both the issue of poor levels of performance in maths in the leaving certificate and the problem of the lack of teachers who are maths graduates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11822/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Project Maths began in all second level schools in September 2010, building on the experience of 24 schools which began the initiative in 2008. The programme is designed to encourage better understanding of mathematics, to reinforce its practical relevance to everyday life, and to ensure better curriculum continuity across the system. A key objective is to improve attainment levels in Maths and to encourage more students to take the subject at higher level.

Project Maths has been widely welcomed by the partners in education, the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, the National Competitiveness Council, Engineers Ireland, the Task Force on Innovation, and by higher education and industry interests.

Improving understanding of and attainment in mathematics is a critical part of the strategy to promote Ireland as a smart economy Project Maths is being implemented in junior and senior cycle simultaneously, and is being phased in over a three period across 5 strands of mathematics as follows:- Phase 1: Strand 1 - Statistics and Probability + Strand 2 - Geometry and Trigonometry Phase 2: Strand 1+2+ Strand 3 - Number + Strand 4 - Algebra Phase 3: Strand 1+2+3+4+ Strand 5 - Functions The programme is being supported by a comprehensive programme of investment in professional development for teachers, and the provision of resource materials, details of which are available at www.projectmaths.ie

I am aware of the issues which have been highlighted in regard to the qualifications of mathematics teachers. Information from the Teaching Council when applied to the estimated 5900 staff teaching mathematics at second level, would suggest that 65% have a qualification in mathematics.

The deployment of teachers to subjects which are not part of their major qualification is also a feature of education systems in other jurisdictions. For example, a report in 2010 on the issue of out-of-field teaching in mathematics (www.nce-mstl.ie) shows that Finland, Canada and Australia, (which ranked 2nd, 6th, and 8th respectively in Mathematics out of 57 countries in the 2006 OECD PISA (Programme of International Student Assessment)) study had 68%, 25% and 72% respectively of students taught by certified teachers with mathematics as a major qualification.

As part of Project Maths, funds have been provided for the development of post graduate courses in mathematics for those who need additional support, or who do not hold a qualification in mathematics. My Department proposes to tender for these courses shortly.