A BONUS points scheme for higher-level maths in the Leaving Cert is set to begin in 2012 – after NUI Galway became the final university to agree to the change yesterday.
Earlier this week, UCC also backed the plan, which has been strongly championed by Minister for Education Mary Coughlan. The Minister claims the new scheme will boost the take-up of higher-level maths.
Opposition to the plan from some academics – notably in Galway and Cork – has softened in recent weeks. A turning point in the debate came two weeks ago when UCD agreed to accept the plan on a four-year trial basis.
Details of how the scheme will operate will be worked out over coming weeks by the universities. A bonus points scheme already operates in the University of Limerick. It is expected students will gain at least 40 extra CAP points for taking higher- level maths .
Yesterday, NUI Galway deputy president Prof Jim Ward, said the university “did not wish to stand in the way of the development of a national scheme”, despite some scepticism.
“We recognise the importance of encouraging more students to take honours mathematics at Leaving Certificate level.
“However, it would be a mistake to view bonus points as the complete solution to the maths problem in Ireland. The teaching of maths at second level by teachers who are not fully qualified to teach the subject is a more fundamental problem. We need to put supports in place to help those teachers.’’
Prof Walsh asked the Minister to work with the universities and the Teaching Council to put in place a programme of professional development for teachers that will “enable them to gain the skills they need to teach mathematics to the required level”.
In 2008, NUI Galway introduced the country’s only undergraduate degree in mathematics and education, which qualifies graduates to teach maths and Applied Mathematics to honours Leaving Certificate level in post-primary schools.
The first graduates from that programme will emerge in two years’ time, having already spent three years working with teachers in schools.