Welsh Conservatives say that figures show fewer young women studying science subjects at A Level in Welsh schools.
The figures demonstrate that boys continue to dominate scientific subjects at A Level, especially physics, where boys outnumber girls by five to one.
In 2013, there were falls in the number of girls studying every science subject at A Level, including a fall of 11% for physics, while the number of boys studying physics rose by 7%.
Despite being outnumbered in classes, when it comes to grades, girls outperform boys in the percentage of A* to C grades in every science A Level apart from physics, where the genders are almost tied.
Antoinette Sandbach AM, who uncovered the figures, fears that women will continue to be under-represented in industry and called on the Welsh Labour Government to consider ways to encourage more girls to study sciences.
Angela Burns AM, Shadow Minister for Education, said, “While it is pleasing to see a slight rise in the study of maths and science subjects, these figures show a 5% rise for boys, but a 3% fall for girls.
“It is the right of any student to choose which subjects they pursue to A Level, but these figures suggest that perhaps a lack of confidence may be preventing more girls undertaking scientific study.
“When girls do study STEM subjects, they are more likely than their male counterparts to get a top grade, so it is important we identify and remove the barriers to studying STEM subjects, which are so highly sought after by employers.
“Under Labour, Welsh education standards have declined, threatening the future of our economy because young people are leaving school without many of the vital skills that industry requires.
“To ensure that young women and young men can contribute to Wales’ place in the global race, we must do more to encourage the uptake of rewarding subjects like languages, maths and science.”
Antoinette Sandbach, Assembly Member for North Wales, said, “These figures show a worrying decline in the number of young women studying science subjects to an advanced level in Welsh schools.
“The number of women studying physics, chemistry and maths is already well below the figures for their male counterparts.
“Women are considerably under-represented in scientific professions and unfortunately these figures show little prospect for improvement in Wales.
“If so few young women are studying science subjects in schools today and numbers continue to fall, it bodes ill for their future engagement in STEM jobs and scientific fields.
“While maths and sciences can be seen as tough subjects, exam results show that while fewer female students are studying STEM subjects, those who do are outperforming men.
“We must redouble efforts to encourage young women into scientific fields because male-dominated industry will hold Wales back from achieving its economic potential.”
