“Minister for Education Batt O’Keeffe has signalled his strong opposition to a new system of bonus CAO points. The Minister cautions that any such move could be ‘counterproductive and reinforce the perception that maths is a difficult subject’. His forthright view will disappoint industry and employer groups concerned about the so-called ‘crisis in maths’. In recent weeks leaders of US multinational companies in the Republic have pointed to the continuing skills gaps affecting high-tech industries in the State. The Minister says introducing bonus points would inevitably lead to similar demands in other subjects, such as science …” (more)
[Seán Flynn, Irish Times, 28 February]