Government failing over science facilities - ASTI

The head of the ASTI has claimed the Government is limiting the chances of students by failing to provide the essential resources needed for teaching science.

General Secretary, John White made his comments at the ASTI's annual conference where it was revealed that an overwhelming majority of science teachers surveyed had not been provided with sufficient health and safety training since the introduction of the new science syllabus in 2003.

Some 89 per cent of science teachers questioned revealed they had not been provided with health and safety training despite a number of potentially dangerous experiments being included on the new science syllabus.

The ASTI  survey included 311 second level science teachers in relation to the revised Junior Certificate subject which includes 52 mandatory experiments.

Launched at today's ASTI annual convention, the survey also found 72 per cent of schools approached have inadequate science facilities to teach the subject and 75 per cent hadn't been refurbished since the introduction of the new syllabus.

Many teachers complained classrooms and science laboratories can not fully accommodate the new practical activities. More than half of all teachers surveyed also raised concerns over the low uptake of science by students at Leaving Cert level, blaming a lack of guidance counselling and meaningful practical work in science at Junior Cert level.

"Second level science is crucial to the development of Ireland as a knowledge-based society," said ASTI General Secretary, John White.

"Science education is also central to a holistic education. However, the Government is limiting the future career chances of Irish students by failing to provide essential resources needed for its delivery."

Despite only 7 per cent of schools surveyed having a laboratory technician, 91 per cent of teachers believe they need technicians to assist them in the science laboratories.

Teachers also reported longer working hours, with 74 per cent of those surveyed spending up to an hour on non-teaching work per class, including laying out materials, cleaning up and carrying out health and safety checks — 86 per cent also admitted teaching the revised science syllabus had increased stress.