The Association of Scientists says students are missing out on highly paid jobs because of their poor performance in maths and science.
Scores in reading, maths and science have fallen in the most recent Programme for International Student Assessment, or Pisa test, after several years of slight decline or no real change.
The Government has repeatedly said the key to securing more high-paying jobs is better performance in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The association says maths and science students risk missing out on lucrative careers.
A former president of the Secondary Principals Association, Patrick Walsh, says teachers with skills in those areas are hard to find, because they can get more highly paid jobs elsewhere.
Mr Walsh says the Government should consider paying science and maths teachers more.
