Junior Cert/Science: The science course for Junior Cert students was strongly criticised by students yesterday. Teachers and students complained that some aspects of the higher level paper, specifically in the chemistry section, were unduly difficult.
Mr Ray McGough, the TUI representative from Maghene College, Donegal, said: "There was a lot of heavy theory like balancing equations, oxidation and reduction and chemical bonding."
The harsh reaction to the paper comes amid continuing concern about the fall-off in numbers taking science subjects at Leaving Cert. About 60,000 Junior Cert students take science every year but only about two-thirds of those take a science subject at Leaving Cert.
Amid criticism that the current course is bookish and old-fashioned, a revised course will be rolled out from next September. But many schools which have sub-standard lab facilities are not in a position to offer it. As a result, schools can opt in or out of the new course. Both the old and new courses will be examined in three years.
Mr Mattie Finnerty, ASTI representative for science, has asked the Minister to defer his plans until next September so that "proper facilities are in place". He said the new syllabus "has to be welcomed by us all and will reward investigative work, while up to now it has been about recalling (information)."
Yesterday a "user-friendly" biology section at higher level featured questions on the female reproductive system and a question on the human skeleton.
The ordinary level paper had very good diagrams and was accessible, Mr Finnerty said.