In a week when the CAO offers were made to Leaving Cert students, Fine Gaels Patrick O’Donovan has again raised the admissions policy in place for entry into science, technology and engineering courses. The Limerick TD had raised the issue with the former Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn in the Dáil after discussing the issue with first year students from third level colleges.
“From speaking to students and some lecturers in third level colleges, there is no doubt that students who get a course in science or engineering without physics and chemistry for instance are at a disadvantage to most of their class mates in their new course and this puts a huge amount of pressure on the student and their family. I asked the Minister for Education in the Dáil to examine this issue with the heads of the third level colleges because I believe that the admission policy is leading to the student, in some cases, having to drop out from the course or repeat the year with costs to them and their family when additional tuition might be required.”
Patrick O’Donovan said that the recent decision by this Government to reintroduce bonus points for Higher Level Maths has been proven to be the right thing to do as the numbers taking the subject has increased. He said that it was clear from employers groups together with professional associations including those who represent engineers that the numbers of those studying higher level maths will have a positive impact on the economy in the long run.
“When you look around Co. Limerick and see the number of companies in the technology, engineering, science, chemical and innovation sectors, together with the number of service industries it’s clear that there are job opportunities for people in these areas. However to develop the sector we need to have people properly skilled and that’s why I believe that if we want to attract students to take these courses, we need to look at admissions policies and the issue of extending bonus points to physics and chemistry, something I believe would benefit the economy in the long run.”
Patrick O’Donovan said he intends to pursue the matter with the new Minister for Education Jan O’Sullivan when the Dáil returns. “We have had very little changes to admission policies to our third level colleges in nearly thirty years and I think that change is badly overdue in this area. I will be encouraging the Minister to engage with students, parents, teachers in second level, college representatives, employers and others in an honest debate to see what changes can be brought to third level admissions.”
Deputy O’Donovan concluded his remarks by wishing all those who had received their Leaving Cert results recently well on their future.