Government hopes to increase number of girls studying these subjects

There are plans to increase the number of girls choosing certain subjects for the Leaving Certificate.

The Government are introducing new measures to increase the number of girls choosing subjects like science, maths and engineering in school. The plans are focussed on encouraging the number of students choosing to take part in STEM subjects (i.e. science, technology, engineering and mathematics) for the Leaving Certificate, especially amongst girls, to help Ireland remain at the "forefront of a global technological revolution".

My key ambitions to make Ireland a European leader in STEM education include: - increase by 40% the number of females studying STEM subjects for their Leaving Certificate

— Richard Bruton (@RichardbrutonTD) November 27, 2017

The Government hopes to see an increase of 40 percent in the number of girls choosing to sit exams in the STEM subjects over the next 10 years. The new measures all fall under the Department of Education’s STEM Education Policy Statement for 2017 to 2026 which was announced today. The measures are all said to help Ireland’s education and training service to become the best in Europe by 2026, according to Education Minister Richard Bruton.

Speaking to the media about our plan to make Ireland a leader in the provision of STEM education. #BestinEurope pic.twitter.com/uNbOxCCW1y

— Richard Bruton (@RichardbrutonTD) November 27, 2017

“There is a significant gender gap between the number of males and females studying STEM,” the minister said today. “In this plan I’ve put an increased focus on encouraging traditionally underrepresented groups, such as females, to participate in STEM activities.”

The move is also said to have a positive impact on the number of students taking subjects like chemistry, physics, technology and engineering for the Leaving Certificate, with hopes to see an increase of 20 percent.