Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 18: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the concerns expressed regarding the teaching of maths and the standards achieved in the State examinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25220/11]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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In relation to concerns regarding the teaching of mathematics, I expect to receive shortly full figures from a Teaching Council survey of the qualifications of mathematics teachers in second level schools. Initial indications from the schools which have responded, approximately one third, are that some 68% of maths teachers are fully qualified to do so, 29% have undergone some studies in maths and 2% have no third level qualifications/studies in maths. A tender to provide a post-graduate course to the last two groups is due to issue shortly.

On the question of standards, I am not happy with the level of uptake at higher level mathematics. Project Maths which was introduced in all schools in September 2010 aims, inter alia, to increase uptake at higher level. I note that the uptake of higher level at junior certificate level was 52% among candidates who sat Project Maths in the Project school as opposed to 45.6% nationally. This is a positive trend.