Solving the maths problem

Madam, – Prof Ted Hurley (May 24th) provides a clear, honest assessment of the status of mathematics in our second-level schools…

Madam, – Prof Ted Hurley (May 24th) provides a clear, honest assessment of the status of mathematics in our second-level schools and also examines the proposed changes which the Minister for Education has suggested to improve the performance of our second–level mathematics students.

I have taught mathematics at second-level for almost 40 years, worked on the marking of the certificate examinations and was a member of the team providing support for mathematics teachers for a number of years. All my experience leads me to agree with Prof Hurley when he lays the blame at the high number of teachers of mathematics who are “out of field”. Many of these teachers are well-motivated and hard working people but because they are not specialists may find themselves slavishly following a text book and in this way fail to inspire their students with the beauty of the subject, and even worse than that, give the impression that there is just one way to solve any problem.

Prof Andrew Wiles, who solved Fermat’s Last Theorem, was asked at his talk in TCD what advice he’d give a student of mathematics. His answer: “You must love your subject”. We would be far better off giving our students a love for the subject than trying to devise a syllabus which is “relevant”, award bonus points for taking honours maths or give a pass to candidates with grade E. – Yours, etc,

PETER TIERNAN,

Kells Bay, Co Kerry.