Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 75: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the numbers of students that have sat leaving certificate higher level, maths, physics, chemistry, biology and applied maths in the years 2006 to 2011 in tabular form, if he can provide details of those who achieved a minimum grade of C3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4223/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The information requested by the Deputy is set out in tabular form.

It will be seen that participation in Physics has declined, but a greater proportion are taking the subject at higher level than heretofore. Chemistry and Applied Maths have shown modest increases. Biology has expanded rapidly, allied with an increase in the proportion taking the subject at higher level. Participation in higher level Mathematics has declined from a high of 18.9% in 2005 to 15.8% in 2011. In all subjects other than Mathematics, participation is predominantly at the higher level. Across all subjects, students who choose higher level generally score well, with 70-81% gaining at least a grade C3 at higher level.

A major programme of reform under Project Maths began in all second level schools in September 2010, building on the experience of 24 project schools which started the initiative in 2008. Project Maths 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 grades in Maths and to encourage more students to take the subject at higher level.

It has also been agreed to provide 25 bonus CAO points for all candidates who score Grade D3 or above for higher level Maths in the Leaving Cert from 2012. This should incentivise more students to continue with higher level. It is hoped that the bonus points for Maths and the new project maths syllabus, alongside the Government's Literacy and Numeracy plan, published in July last will improve students' grasp and grades in Mathematics.

The Literacy and Numeracy Plan provides for an increase in the amount of time spent teaching maths in primary schools, by 70 minutes per week as well as a range of other measures to promote improved performance in this area. In regard to science, where students perform above the international average in PISA, I expect to receive revised syllabuses for Leaving Certificate Physics, Chemistry and Biology from the NCCA later this year. A key objective of the revisions is to strengthen the emphasis on investigative approaches and practical assessment. This is seen as important in encouraging more students to study the physical sciences in senior cycle.