Thousands of Leaving Cert students are continuing to struggle with maths and science subjects,despite the high priority given by Government and business to these areas.
High failure rates in maths and science subjects are the most striking feature of the Leaving Cert results for 2005 published this morning.
Almost one-in-five students failed ordinary-level biology while some 12 per cent (almost 4,500 students) failed ordinary-level maths. A further 5,000 took foundation-level maths, which is not recognised by many third-level colleges.
Last night, Minister for Education Mary Hanafin urged students to consider courses in science, engineering and technology.
"These areas offer qualifications which are in high demand, with good career prospects, and are critically important to support the growth of high-value, knowledge-based industries in Ireland," she said.
The employers' group Ibec expressed alarm at the results. Brendan Butler, its deputy director of enterprise, said poor results in maths and science and the fall-off in students taking these subjects represented a threat to the Republic's economic future.
On the bright side, three students achieved 9 A1 grades in the exam, equalling the record figure set by a Co Kildare student in 2001.
The dramatic increase in honours over the past decade (in all subjects except maths) has led to claims that the exam is being "dumbed down". But last night Paddy Healy of the Teachers' Union of Ireland dismissed these claims and said overall standards were rising.
The results in religious education - examined for the first time on a pilot basis this year - were impressive. Not one student failed the subject, while some 94 per cent gained honours.
Meanwhile, career experts say CAO points for most courses will be broadly in line with last year.
However, some first-time Leaving Cert students risk being squeezed out of high-points courses such as medicine by repeat students and those from Northern Ireland and Britain. This is because the number scoring the very high points needed for these courses (5A1s and better) has dropped by 13 per cent.
The first round of CAO offers will be published next Monday.
Last night Ibec called for changes in the maths curriculum.
"The current curriculum has failed to give students a good understanding of the practical uses of maths outside of the classroom and this must be addressed," said Mr Butler.
"The department should consider providing greater incentives to those who excel in maths and science subjects, which are viewed by students as being more difficult. The decision to phase out bonus points for higher-level Leaving Certificate maths should be re-examined," he added.
Last night, two Ministers advised students to respond to the results sensibly, reflecting concerns about alcohol-fuelled violence. Ms Hanafin was joined by her colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, in urging students to behave responsibly.
Ms Hanafin said: "I would also ask students to celebrate sensibly and enjoy their achievement while not putting themselves and others at risk."
