New figures show that there is a sizeable gender gap in the Leaving Cert subject choice.

According to figures included in the latest Education Indicators for 2025, around 70% of boys will study Physics, Chemistry, Engineering and other STEM subjects, compared to just 43% of girls.

Maths teacher and author Brendan Gildea said that this doesn’t necessarily reflect a problem with the education system.

“The Society of Actuaries just a couple of years ago did a big survey and they asked men and women their job [and] why they go into a job,” he told The Pat Kenny Show.

“Boys pick money and competitive positions; girls are people orientated and [want] to make a difference.

“The other thing is, in a recent survey, maybe just two years ago, the OECD talked to 250,000 adults, and the gender divide is real.

“According to that, males in general were better at numeracy and problem solving, and the females scored higher on literacy.”

Mr Gildea said that this division of the sexes is, in his opinion, naturally occurring.

Students sit in class on Monday morning while a teacher stands in front of the blackboard. Photo: Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa

Psychotherapist and author Stella O’Malley agreed with Mr Gildea’s assessment.

“I do think that we’re trying to bludgeon the square peg into the round hole,” she said.

“Consistently, especially in the progressive countries, we’ve caught up.

“We’ve encouraged females to go into the STEM subjects, and some of them have done very well.

“Just like there are some women who are over six foot, but there are more men over six foot.”

According to Ms O’Malley, focus should instead be turned to respecting the subjects that girls do tend to go for.

Main image: Students in lesson at Secondary School, Image: Roger Askew/Alamy Stock Photo