To think the school system is ridiculous

Really! Wonder how they worked that out!

Maybe using geography or art

It's possible to play the point system...aiming for a high mark at pass will give good enough points for subjects at third level that don't require honours maths. Same with Irish for those who hate it! Do lcvp and get points from that...all kinds of manoeuvres. Although you need maths to add up the points as you navigate cao.

Ireland is the most highly educated country in the world so the school system must be doing something right.

I have a kid that has just finished the JC and you sound a lot like her. She's been rolling eyes and asking me why she needs to know French and Tech graph anyway.

I work in software design/solution architecture and I use maths and algebra on a daily basis. Even just the concepts of maths learnt at A level (I did maths and further maths) help with understanding and analysing system calculations, spreadsheets etc.

I've worked in a number of different education systems and actually the Irish one has been my favourite. People come out much more rounded having studied a wider berth of subjects. While the points race is a nightmare people are actually much better at operating under pressure and resilience levels are higher among general population. A lot of spoonfeeding in the UK and in England a lot of pressure in terms of the target grades etc. doesn't help pupils to be independent thinkers or responsible for their own experiences/learning (don't get me wrong there are plenty of amazing young people in the UK but the increased apathy and blame game has always irritated me).

Yes some of what you learn you might never need to use. That does not make it pointless. My life has been enriched from having an understanding of literature. Do I need to know poetry - absolutely not. Has it added value to my life and helped me understand people I encounter and hobbies I enjoy - absolutely. I work in education (not STEM) and use algebra. Did honours maths in Ireland and while I've never used differentiation for example the learning process and skills developed, not to mention the rising to a challenge has all been useful. I've never needed to use my history either yet it is a real asset in helping form opinions and show compassion with all that is happening in the world right now.

While the Irish system is not perfect I think it is often undervalued. If I had the option I would much prefer my kids were to go through the Irish system than either of the UK systems.

A lot of university courses in Ireland require pass maths, not honours at leaving cert.

I've looked at A-Level past papers, and they don't look like they have any more depth than Irish Leaving certificate papers.

And as your posts show that you have very little understanding of Maths, what it consists of or how it is used in academic study or in everyday life, I don’t think you’re qualified to make that judgement.

You don’t “need” to pass maths at higher level to study history in most cases though? Certainly at UCD you don’t

Yes I agree entirely with you. And I'm highly educated myself and did well. I concur, an absolute pile of shite.

It needs a gigantic overhaul. That would take a fair amount of work to determine how that would work to meet the skills and interests of all.

I would prefer to see much greater emphasis upon vocational subjects. I'd like to see say Religious Studies bullshit replaced with say Politics and economics in Secondary school. You could cover the variety of religions at a very basic level in say 6 weeks. Why do I give a shit who wears what religious garment? I don't have any interest and most young people don't care either.

I would like to see greater focus upon financial management, budgeting, the important things in life that many leave school not understanding.

History is another example. Who has determined what's covered here and why does it seem so much is still missing from history taught. Are kids still learning about the Bolsheviks? Who gives a crap. Do we not have other issues of greater significance to cover. Do we cover the questionable role of the UK in dominating other countries and cultures yet throughout history? Or is that still ignored.

I too used to firmly believe that the education system taught us discipline and how to be committed etc. But really, what a total waste of the capacity of young minds in our conveyor belt system. I find it really sad because I can't do anything about it and instead try not think about that which I can't change.

Vodka to mixer ratio is another good use of maths!

1:1 or 1:2 ratio - anything else makes it too weak!

She said she works in a school with the UK system, which does not exist.

Let's not mention the annual horror of leaving cert poetry. All the themes and quotes, then your favourite poet isn't on the paper.

Having compulsory math as long as possible is a gift, something which makes your population better equipped to deal with information overload era. Students don't like it because it is hard, but it's worth it.

(In my country, everyone on academic path study all subjects untill leaving the high school, with deeper focus on five of them, from that three according to one's choice plus national language plus math or foreign language. I'd love to see math being compulsory)

The A level algebra isn't really that complicated, it is still about understanding math operations, relationships between numbers and shapes. You live in a physical world and those kinds of knowledge are necessary if you want to understand/describe it. And if you don't care about nature or mechanics, many human focused things use it a lot - algorithms of social networks work, medical research, sociology, journalist reporting about anything from the previous, ...

Algebra+vodka=useful
The only time I've put algebra equations to good use was when one making vodka Skittles

To be fair to OP, she is talking about overhauling the Irish schooling system, not any of the UK systems.

What ever you obviously know best!

Again what would you suggest is better that maths, you can’t seem to answer this

Yep. I commented earlier regarding the various options in Scotland for maths but it’s been glossed over by the tone of the post. Feel for you Wales, we’re always lumped in with England too lol.

Both of which careers use algebra daily!

Loads of jobs need technical maths - even making huge commercial movies, mobility aids, and to some extent learning how you know something from what you've observed and to make sure you're not just guessing based on a handful of data points and stating it as fact.

Just because OP doesn't understand something doesn't make it worthless.

I've seen young people say that algebra is pointless to study. Are their opinions not valid?
Are you suggesting that the curriculum needs sign-off from all young people about what they reckon is and isn't going to be 'pointless' in their life before it's implemented?