The latest report from the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on student choices will dismay those who have been seeking to boost interest in maths, science and technology at third-level. It finds that the percentage of students taking level eight or higher degree programmes in these disciplines has declined dramatically.
Students are drifting in record numbers towards areas like health, business and the humanities, and are moving away from science and technology. And the downward spiral appears to be across the board. The percentage of students taking higher degrees in technology and related areas is down from 32 per cent in 2000 to 21 per cent this year. Science is attracting just 9 per cent of higher degree students compared to 12 per cent in 2000. Over the same period, the percentage taking computer-related disciplines has halved.
These figures seem certain to revive calls for a new incentive to arrest and, hopefully, reverse these trends. For years, the Government, business and teachers have been attempting to cajole students towards science and technology. But there is a strong sense - supported by the latest HEA figures - that few are listening.
Various groups have put forward ideas to boost maths and sciences. Both the Royal Irish Academy and the Government's own national strategy for science, technology and innovation have backed bonus CAO points for students taking these subjects at Leaving Cert level. Fine Gael and Labour have published a joint €200 million plan designed to stimulate student interest in maths and science which hints at the introduction of bonus points.
Hopefully, the latest HEA report will prompt an urgent response from Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin. From an economic perspective alone, the issue could scarcely be more important. The Minister has acknowledged how this State's future success will depend on the strength of our research base and the continued availability of highly educated people to fill jobs in the hi-tech industries and to attract further foreign investment in these areas.
So, what is to be done about maths and science? The Minister is known to favour a system whereby students scoring good Leaving Cert grades in science, for example, would secure bonus points if they opted for a science-related course. A report on the implications of such a move has been commissioned.
But is there much to be gained from more reports and more discussion? The time has come for a bold new initiative which would have a real impact on student choices next year.