Maths is too geeky say kids

3 June 2008

The Mirror, Jake Morris, 3 June 2008

Youngsters are refusing to study maths A-level because they worry it is uncool, a report claims.

In the past 18 years, almost half a million fewer pupils have taken the subject. In 1989, 84,744 students sat the exam. By 2007, that figure had dropped to 60,093.

Elizabeth Truss, of Reform think tank which conducted the research, said: "In today's Britain, it is acceptable to say you can't do maths. But people would be ashamed to admit they can't read.

"We need a cultural revolution to transform maths from geek to chic."

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Reform blames poor teaching and Government meddling for the crisis.

It adds that someone with maths A-level earns an average £136,000 more in a working lifetime.

Christine Blower, of the National Union of Teachers, said: "While it is undoubted that the continuing and worrying shortage of mathematics teachers is a problem that must be cracked, Reform's assessment of maths teaching is largely wild, inaccurate and prejudiced."

Schools Minister Jim Knight agreed maths was not valued enough.