Leaving Cert/home economics: Home economics teachers expressed relief yesterday at a "balanced" paper that it is hoped will address the decline in numbers taking the subject for the Leaving Cert. Student numbers dropped by over 3,000 this year to 12,563.

Sandra Cleary, of the Institute of Education, said the three-year-old syllabus was regarded as heavy work, and many students dropped it in favour of shorter subjects. "I had over 300 students for home economics in the last year of the old syllabus. I had half that number this year. I hope that today's paper helps to change the perception of home economics for the better."

The chief problem with the new course is its large content. Students and teachers have complained of difficulties covering the syllabus, and yesterday's paper helped to establish a pattern that next year's teachers will be able to use to narrow the course. Questions on social studies and consumer studies came up for the third year in a row.

Students were asked to discuss the effect of social changes on the modern Irish family and the importance of calcium in the diet among other topics.

The practical component of the exam has also proved problematic. The project contained 12 components last year, and many students were prompted to drop the subject in fifth year. In an effort to address this, the practical project was cut to five sections this year.

Some 2,600 students took the ordinary level paper. This was considered to be fair and well laid out, with some thematic patterns emerging. The language of the paper was suited to the level of students, said a commentator.