Largest number of students ever take Higher Level Maths paper, while student numbers for all science subjects have increased since last yearThe Minister for Research and Innovation, Seán Sherlock T.D., has congratulated the 55,572 students who received their Leaving Certificate results today. He particularly welcomed the increased uptake in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects.
“The upward trend in students presenting for STEM subjects in the Leaving Certificate is to be welcomed. In particular, it is reassuring to see that the number of candidates presenting in Higher Level Mathematics continues to rise. In 2011 there were 8,235 candidates, this has risen to 13,014 – the highest number of students who have ever taken Higher Level Maths in one year. The additional 25 bonus points on offer to students who achieve a D3 or higher, continues to give students the confidence to take the Higher Level paper”, said Minister Sherlock.
The increased uptake of STEM subjects in the Leaving Certificate is reflected in applications for places in courses through the CAO. There are a significant number of young people seeking places in the Sciences, Agriculture/Horticulture and Engineering/Technology sectors. The number of first preference applications for Engineering and Technology has risen by over 200 at level 8. At level 6/7 the number of first preference applications for sciences and applied sciences has increased by 662 in 2013.
“These year on year increases are encouraging and reflect the Government’s targeted approach to ensuring that we have the right skills and the right people to enter employment in growth areas of the economy.”
“We know that there are shortages of graduates in certain areas, and we are concentrating on ensuring that there is a pipeline of students with the relevant skills to fill jobs in these areas in coming years”.
“I do hope that students on receiving their Leaving Certificate results today will continue their study in STEM areas. The economy needs more young people with qualifications in the STEM fields to enhance our global competitiveness. While we have seen small increases in the numbers of students in Biology, Physics and Chemistry this year, I will be working with industries such as the pharma sector over the coming year to see how we can encourage significantly more students to consider these subjects in the coming years”
Minister Sherlock continued by welcoming the findings of a survey carried out by Engineers Ireland which was published last week, “The Engineers Ireland survey has found that 60% of CEOs and Managing Directors of engineering companies in Ireland believe that the new Project Maths curriculum will benefit students’ overall problem solving and analytical skills.”
“Regardless of what students might be planning in the next chapter of their lives, I want to congratulate them on the achievement that today represents”, concluded Minister Sherlock.
ENDS
Editors notes:
The proportion of candidates presenting for Chemistry has increased over the last decade from 11% to 15.5%. The numbers of students taking both Biology and Physics are up slightly over the last year, as are the numbers studying Applied Mathematics.
Reflecting the health of our Agriculture sector, since 2011 the number presenting in Agricultural Science has increased from 5,286 at Higher Level to 5,951 this year and from 1,186 at Ordinary Level to 1,463 this year – a total increase of 15% in the number of students taking Agricultural Science at Leaving Cert level.
While there are only a small number of candidates presenting for Technology, the numbers at Higher Level have risen from 699 in 2011 to 945 this year.