Non-grammar school pupils struggling with GCSE maths
Simon Doyle, Education Correspondent 292 words
Publication date: 1 October 2009 Source: The Irish News
Page: Pg. 14 (c) 2009, The Irish News Ltd. All Rights reserved.
More than half of GCSE mathematics pupils at non-grammar schools are failing to scrape a C in their exams, a new report has found.
The ‘Stem’ (science, technology and mathematics) review was commissioned two years ago against a backdrop of falling numbers of students opting for sciences.
Young people, the report warned, are increasingly disengaged from Stem subjects, which has manifested itself in reducing enrolments in courses critical to the north’s future economic growth.
The report, launched jointly by education minister Caitriona Ruane and employment and learning minister Sir Reg Empey, contained 20 recommendations on how to better promote Stem.
It called for more government scholarships and greater engagement between colleges and business, adding that business must take the lead.
The report said “as a matter of urgency” there needed to be a programme of support for primary school teachers to ensure they developed the confidence and enthusiasm to teach science in ways that motivated pupils.
Just 44 per cent of children in non-selective secondary schools scored an A*-C in their maths GCSE, the report found, compared to 97 per cent in grammar schools.
Ms Ruane said it was important to make science, technology and maths more interesting and relevant “in order to stimulate interest and enthusiasm among young people”.
“It is clear that the growing sectors of our economy will require an increasing number of Stem graduates and skilled labour. I am confident that by implementing the recommendations in this report this goal can be realised,” Sir Reg said.
Also launched yesterday was a £1.2 million lorry – the Stem Module/Truck – which will travel across the north to provide facilities for Stem specialist schools.