Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 33: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the current status of the Project Maths programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14483/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Project Maths is under way in all second level schools since September 2010 in both junior and senior cycle, building on the experience of 24 schools which began the programme in 2008. The initiative is supported by comprehensive investment in professional development for teachers which will continue to at least 2013.

Project Maths is being implemented on a phased basis over a three-year period across 5 strands of mathematics. Strands 1 and 2 began in all schools in September 2010 for first examination in 2012 at Leaving Certificate and 2013 at Junior Certificate. Strands 3 and 4 will begin in 2011, and strand 5 will start in 2012. The initial results for Project Maths in the 24 schools where students sat the Leaving Certificate examination in Strands 1 and 2 in 2010 were published by the State Examinations Commission. These showed that results were broadly in line with the national trends. However, there was a modest increase (2.5%) in the proportion taking higher level maths in the Project Schools, and significantly improved EFNG rates at ordinary level (5.4% v 9.8% in mainstream schools.)