Experts demand pause on new Leaving Cert maths rollout amid criticism

The recent departures of Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin (DCU) and Pauline Mellon (UCD) from the Leaving Certificate maths redesign team highlight serious doubts about the draft curriculum, which they describe as incoherent and mathematically flawed. Their resignation letters note that key topics such as geometric proof and complex numbers have been removed, and that the drafting process lacked proper record-keeping and ignored specialist corrections.

Parallel grievances have been voiced by members of the English and science review groups, who say decisions appeared predetermined. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment and Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton have responded by emphasizing that the drafts are not final and that a three-month public consultation is underway, but the minister’s assertion that the exam will remain unchanged for years is contradicted by the schedule to introduce the new course in September 2027.

Critics argue that at this stage the consultation can only make minor tweaks, not a full redesign, and warn that proceeding without a pause could lock in a weakened curriculum. The piece cites a previous resignation in the construction studies group and points to declining PISA scores in reading and maths as evidence that reform is urgently needed.