Madam, - As a PhD student working in biological science, I was cheered to read your Editorial of August 16th, "Worrying trends in Leaving Cert". It seems to me as I come to the close of my PhD, which has entailed a huge amount of work and self-discipline with no financial reward, that there are very few career paths for science graduates and those with higher degrees. So before the Government introduces incentives to entice students to take on maths and science, perhaps it should address the lack of a career structure for science graduates and implement a just and rewarding pay scale for scientists.
Judging by the numbers of students avoiding science subjects, it seems that the class of 2006 are not only the luckiest in terms of opportunities but also the smartest: they can recognise a career cul-de-sac when they see one. - Yours, etc,
ERICA MULLANEY, Batterstown, Dunboyne, Co Meath.
Madam, - Some 91 per cent of the 2006 Leaving Certificate students passed mathematics overall. At ordinary level, 88 per cent of students passed. Does this constitute "poor results in maths"? Every year, mantra-like, the extremes get front-page focus - this time the apparent "high" failure rate in ordinary level mathematics and the small number of outstanding students (about 10 out of 51,000) who achieve a large number of A1s.
Is it too much to expect a richer, deeper, and fairer analysis of our Leaving Certificate students' efforts and achievements? - Yours, etc,
Dr JAMES FINNEGAN, Woodlands, Letterkenny, Co Donegal.
A chara, - Given the disappointing results in Leaving Certificate maths this year, and given that only 11,000 students sat honours maths (more than 3,000 fewer than sat honours Irish), are we to expect Fine Gael to blame compulsion and call for maths to be made an optional extra for the Leaving Cert? - Is mise,
DÁITHÍ MAC CÁRTHAIGH, Uachtarán, Conradh na Gaeilge, Sráid Fhearchair, Baile Átha Cliath 2.