As many as one in three maths teachers in secondary schools are not fully qualified for their subject, according to the results of a new study.

The research, conducted by the Teaching Council, examined educators at more than 400 schools around the country, RTE reports.

While it found just 2.5 per cent of maths teachers have no direct qualifications in the subject, only 66 per cent were classed as fully certified.

This means at least 30 per cent of their third-level degree was earned in the subject.

However, a further 31 per cent studied the subject for at least one year as an undergraduate.

Minister of State for Research and Innovation Sean Sherlock, who released the findings, said he hoped a planned training programme to upskill maths teachers will lead to all educators becoming fully qualified.

The need for improvements in the way maths is taught in secondary schools may have been highlighted by this year's Leaving Certificate results, which saw more then 4,000 candidates fail their exams in the subject.

Written by Donal Walsh
 

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