The ASTI wants the Government to implement the recommendations of a key report on science, amid concern over the 10,000-plus students who drop the subject after Junior Cert.
Its president, Sheila Parsons, said the union was "extremely concerned" at the low uptake of science subjects at Leaving Cert level. She said more than 50,000 students sat the Junior Cert exams but only a minority will take Leaving Cert physics (about 7,900) and chemistry (about 7,300). Just over 25,000 will take biology but over 10,000 will opt out of science subjects.
The junior cert course has been revised to rekindle interest in science but some schools still do not have laboratories.
The ASTI president said implementation of the recommendations of the Taskforce on the Physical Sciences, issued in 2002, are key to increasing the uptake of science among students progressing to Leaving Certificate. These proposed:
The appointment of technical assistants in schools to work alongside science teachers in the delivery of science education;
The introduction of a science co-ordinator post in every school to aid the teaching and learning of science.
More than 56,000 students will receive their results in schools today. These can also be accessed online at www.examinations.ie from 4pm.
Last night chairman of the State Examinations Commission (SEC), Jimmy Farrelly sent special congratulations to the 1,369 re-entrants to education who studied for the Junior Cert through various schemes.
Applications for a review of Junior Cert results, which must be made through the candidate's school, should be with the SEC before 5pm on Friday, September, 30th, 2005. The fee is €30 a subject, which will be refunded if the appeal is successful.
TUI president Paddy Healy urged students to remain in school until their Leaving Cert exam. "There is clear evidence that students who leave school at Junior Cert level will earn significantly less than those who graduate with their Leaving," he said.
