Time to increase University participation

[Trampas]

I see....punish people for choosing certain courses in order to drive them into subjects they would not otherwise go for?

Bad idea, though your hearts in the right place.
The problems in Sciences and Engineering start in second level, and science already had plenty of people in it who dont' want to do it, and just went into it because an incentive system (in this case 300 points) nudged them into it, we don't need to make that situation worse, the drop out rates in science is already really bad.

It is indeed, but many students on 300 LC points are bound to struggle. The key issue as I see it is to try to interest high achievers in the sciences. Many of these students with 550+ LC points would not be found dead in a room with 300 pointers. That is the challenge, although the economic downturn may sort this.

[spidermom]

ARA whats the point in making science compulsory!!!


Why not languages!!

There could be a equal point made that we are going to multi linguists to turn the economy around.
WE can't all be engineers,or physicists.

Re arts degrees, they are often(OK not always!!) used as the first rung of the ladder.
PLUS a lot of teachers come through an arts degree.
WE will need teachers too!!


However on the original point I DO think we should be persuading students to stay in education for as long as possible(both 2nd and 3rd level)

There ain't much point in coming out into the labour force now!!!!

[Deise Pride]

What we need is more FAS courses. Thats how i got my handy civil servant's job.

[PhoenixIreland]

Languages are compulsory, and you need a foreign one and Irish to get into most colleges.

[spidermom]

I know your token one foreign language is required BUT you cannot suddenly manufacture reams of leaving cert science students no more than you can manufacture linguists!!!


THATS AS ALL