The resistance of most third-level colleges to recognise foundation level maths is a major disincentive to students taking up the subject, a committee on education was told yesterday.
Introduced in 1990 to provide a more practically orientated course, it was expected that 25 per cent of students would opt for the subject.
However, only 10 per cent of students have chosen foundation level maths.
Doreen McMorris, chief inspector with the Department of Education, said the fact that few third-level colleges recognise the course and high grades in the subject do not earn CAO points, has proved a disincentive to students.
She told the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Science that a pass in ordinary level maths is required to get into most colleges and although the department has tried to have this changed, they have been disappointed by the response, in particular from the institutes of technology.
"As a result, students that should be doing foundation level may well take ordinary level and may fail it," she said.
Investment in laboratories fell far short of that recommended by a taskforce on the physical sciences, the committee was told. The taskforce recommended, in 2002, that €166 million in capital funding be invested in laboratory facilities but by 2004, additional funding of only €16 million was provided.
"Funding on the scale recommended by the taskforce is not available," Ms McMorris said.
