12th March 2012 9:00
By Blue Tutors
England should follow the example set by Scotland and Hong Kong when it comes to teaching maths. That’s the message in a new study by the Royal Society of Arts which was reported recently on the BBC website. The study claims that one in four adults in England can’t do basic calculations, and that the current system isn’t fit for purpose and risks damaging the economy.
Although the RSA report warns against adopting another county’s system in its entirety, it says that England must look at more successful systems and draw on the positive aspects of maths education in Scotland and Hong to improve the ability of maths students in England. Author of the report, Emma Norris says that with nearly half of our students failing to achieve a C or above in their maths GCSE, it’s time for the government to look at serious reform to develop long-term change. She added that the existing teaching of maths puts students off the subject for life, and that that needs to change.
Only 15% of English students continue to study A Level maths. In Scotland that figure is a quarter, and in Hong Kong students have to study the subject until they are 18.The Scottish system was praised for allowing students to study at their own pace, and for making it easier for students to move between different streams during the year.
There is already a pilot in England which teaches students two maths GCSEs, lifestyle and academic mathematics, which was recommended by Carol Vorderman in a study she conducted for the conservative party. Scotland already has such a scheme, but the RSA report suggested that these two qualifications could actually be confusing for students and potential employers.