NSW Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli today confirmed New South Wales is leading the country in science enrolments in Year 12.

“Since 2001 NSW has had an increase in all its HSC science courses and a 21 per cent increase in enrolments for all the science courses combined,” the Minister said.

“This means NSW has bucked the trend of fewer students enrolling in science, not only in Australia, but in comparison to all OECD countries.”

“NSW schools offer a proven and effective curriculum that encourages students to choose science electives in years 11 and 12.”

“In 2011, 33 008 students out of a total of 72 391 were enrolled in at least one HSC science course.”

Biology was the second most popular elective with more students enrolled in it than in Business Studies.

Chemistry and Physics are also top rating HSC electives.

“This is an important reflection of the education system’s ability to sustain enrolments in science at a time when more and more students are continuing to senior high school and opting for vocationally-orientated courses.”

“It is also testament to the quality of science teaching in NSW schools,” the Minister said.