Dr Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin, associate professor of mathematics education at Dublin City University, has resigned from the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) Mathematics Development Group, which is advising on Leaving Certificate curriculum reforms. Her departure marks the second high-profile resignation from the advisory body in recent months, following the exit of Professor Pauline Mellon earlier in the year.

Outlining her reasons for leaving, Dr Ní Shúilleabháin stated that the draft course specifications produced for public review were "littered with mathematical errors and inaccuracies" and lacked structural coherence. She expressed concern that the proposed changes would fail to adequately prepare students for higher education and careers, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. She further alleged that subject-matter experts' feedback was consistently ignored during the drafting process, describing the issue as a broader systemic flaw in how curriculum development panels operate.

Her resignation follows that of Professor Pauline Mellon, emeritus professor of mathematics at University College Dublin, who stepped down from the group in January. In a letter to the NCCA, Professor Mellon cautioned that the proposed higher-level curriculum had been "significantly hollowed out" and warned that the draft specifications would do a disservice to second-level students if adopted.

In response to the criticisms, a spokesperson for the NCCA stated that the draft specifications currently published are not final documents and are subject to a three-month public consultation period. The council noted that the process is designed to invite broad engagement from teachers and the public to identify areas requiring further refinement. The NCCA added that it is reviewing the expertise required for the development group before deciding whether to fill the vacancies.

The double resignation has drawn criticism from political figures and education stakeholders. Labour Party education spokesperson Eoghan Kenny TD called on the Minister for Education to seek an urgent report from the NCCA on how expert feedback is processed. Deputy Kenny argued that while senior cycle curriculum evolution is necessary, reforms must maintain academic rigour and appropriately balance subject expertise with pedagogical design.