`Hello money' for maths graduates sought

British-style "hello money" should be paid to maths and science graduates to attract them to the teaching profession, according…

British-style "hello money" should be paid to maths and science graduates to attract them to the teaching profession, according to the organisation representing engineers.

The Institution of Engineers in Ireland (IEI) is calling for extra allowances for maths and science teachers after new figures showed that only six maths graduates went into teacher-training last year.

The IEI wants the British system - in which maths and science graduates receive an additional allowance of about £4,000 a year - to be introduced in the Republic. But such a move would be opposed by ASTI, which is against any pay division. At present, all teachers, primary and secondary, are on a common pay scale.

The IEI believes maths is the key subject for any student considering a technology-driven career. It says it also "recognises the wider economic need to maintain a constant flow of quality engineering and technology graduates".

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It says this year's Leaving Certificate results give cause for concern.

The number taking higher-level maths was down 6.6 per cent;

The number achieving higher grades in maths at ordinary level was down by 3.8 per cent;

10.4 per cent failed higher-level physics - 2.7 per cent more than last year;

The number sitting applied maths dropped by 6.5 per cent.

The IEI has launched STEPS (Science, Technology and Engineering Programme for Schools) to encourage more pupils to consider engineering as a career option. It can be accessed at www.steps.ie.