The number of students who will take higher maths exams for the Leaving Certificate this week has fallen to its lowest total ever, new figures have revealed.

A total of 10,435 candidates are registered for the exam on Friday (June 10th), but the Irish Times reports that around one in five are expected to drop down to ordinary maths on the morning of the assessment.

If this is the case, it could mean the numbers sitting the higher paper dips below the record low of 8,388 that took the test in 2007.

Around 55,550 students will begin their Leaving Certificate exams this week, while a further 57,732 pupils will sit Junior Certificate assessments, which begin tomorrow.

Last month, figures from the Department for Education revealed the retention rate for students undergoing the Leaving Certificate is higher than ever, with 88 per cent of students staying on to complete the assessments.

However, the poor numbers for higher maths candidates may come as a severe blow to the government, which has identified the subject as a top priority for developing a "smart economy".

Written by Donal Walsh
 

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