Bonus Points for Higher Level Maths in Leaving Certificate would help fuel knowledge economy - Byrne

I was interested to hear on the day that Leaving Cert students are receiving their results that the Minister for Education, Tánaiste Mary Coughlan has written to universities and ITs about the possibility of introducing a bonus points system for higher level mathematics.

It is vital that students are encouraged to take Higher Mathematics if we are to continue to market Ireland as a knowledge economy with a highly skilled and highly educated workforce. The skills involved in achieving high grades in maths are sought after by the high-tech industries that this Government works so hard to attract to Ireland and local business and industry seek those with high level maths skills for their R&D departments.

Higher Maths can seem daunting to students, even those with skills and talents in the subject so it is vital that we provide practical support and encouragement to those students.

I know that legally the criteria for admission to higher education institutions are a matter for the colleges themselves but I am confident that they will be open to encouraging more higher level maths students. If they give a positive reaction to the Minister’s proposals then students entering their Leaving Cert cycle could be encouraged to take higher maths for their 2012 CAO application. I am hopeful for a positive result.

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