IT-related A-levels suffered
another fall in numbers this year, with fewer students taking
ICT or computing than in 2007.
12,277 students received ICT A-level results today, compared
with 13,360 this time last year - a drop of 8.1%.
Computing saw a bigger fall, with 5,068 students taking the
course, compared with 5,610 in 2007 - a drop of 9.7%.
The figure shows a drop of 20% in the number of students taking
IT-related topics between 2001, when numbers reached 21,744, and
2008.
Robin McGill, chief executive of the Institute of Engineering
and Technology, said, "Too few young people are taking science,
technology, engineering and mathematics subjects.
"The main barriers are the need for quality teaching, perceived
difficulties of the subjects and negative views held about careers
within the industry.
"Somewhere along the line we are letting young people down by
not opening their eyes to the huge potential of a career in
technology."
E-skills chief executive Karen Price has said in the past that
the school IT curriculum
puts young people off IT careers. She said, "We need a
curriculum that embraces creativity, and that employers help to
develop.
"The school curriculum also has a knock-on effect into higher
education and employment, as students wrongly presume that school
ICT courses are an indicator of the content of IT-related degree
courses and careers."
Officials hope a recently introduced
IT diploma will help increase students' interest in the
topic.