URGENT CALL FOR NEW TEACHING APPROACH
A NEW teaching approach is urgently needed to save another generation of children from failing at maths, according to research out today.
A new survey has revealed that an estimated 17 million people struggle with maths in the UK -well above current government figures - and over half of the population believe that ineffective teaching techniques are to blame.
Maths nationally produces one of the lowest set of results among the 40 GCSE subjects and almost a third of those surveyed believe the situation is getting worse.
The findings come as Gordon Brown pledged to increase education spending in England from £60bn this year to £74bn in 2010 but experts say the fundamental system of maths teaching needs to be addressed if there is to be any change in the low maths pass rate.
The research, conducted for online educational resource ConquerMaths.com [http://www.conquermaths.com], has found that standards in maths are still worryingly low despite billions more being spent in the classroom. A third of survey respondents believe that a new approach is needed.
Valerie Constable of ConquerMaths.com said: "Increased investment alone is not delivering improved results.
"Our study and others prove that the current approach fails a significant proportion of the population. Schools need to adopt an approach that engages those pupils that are missing out. Numeracy skills are just too important throughout our entire lives to write off as many people as we do now."
Nearly a quarter of parents are struggling to help their children with maths homework while one adult in ten tries to avoid doing any sums at all in their daily life. One in six people also claims their poor skills have reduced their job opportunities or earning potential.
The problem is worst in Wales and the Midlands where well over a third of people struggle with maths and feel uncomfortable using it in any situation.
Only Scotland shows a more positive outlook with twice as many Scots as any other Brits loving maths.
Mrs Constable said: "We use numbers in every aspect of life, whether it's at work, shopping, or splitting the bill in restaurants, so maths is one of the most important subjects taught to us.
"We are failing this and all future generations if the approach to teaching maths is not revised to give everyone the chance to learn these vital skills."
She welcomed the government's budget proposal for one-to-one tuition for maths in primary schools and said she will continue to campaign for maths teaching to offer a number of approaches so as to engage everyone from schoolchildren to adult learners.
A new survey has revealed that an estimated 17 million people struggle with maths in the UK -well above current government figures - and over half of the population believe that ineffective teaching techniques are to blame.
Maths nationally produces one of the lowest set of results among the 40 GCSE subjects and almost a third of those surveyed believe the situation is getting worse.
The findings come as Gordon Brown pledged to increase education spending in England from £60bn this year to £74bn in 2010 but experts say the fundamental system of maths teaching needs to be addressed if there is to be any change in the low maths pass rate.
The research, conducted for online educational resource ConquerMaths.com [http://www.conquermaths.com], has found that standards in maths are still worryingly low despite billions more being spent in the classroom. A third of survey respondents believe that a new approach is needed.
Valerie Constable of ConquerMaths.com said: "Increased investment alone is not delivering improved results.
"Our study and others prove that the current approach fails a significant proportion of the population. Schools need to adopt an approach that engages those pupils that are missing out. Numeracy skills are just too important throughout our entire lives to write off as many people as we do now."
Nearly a quarter of parents are struggling to help their children with maths homework while one adult in ten tries to avoid doing any sums at all in their daily life. One in six people also claims their poor skills have reduced their job opportunities or earning potential.
The problem is worst in Wales and the Midlands where well over a third of people struggle with maths and feel uncomfortable using it in any situation.
Only Scotland shows a more positive outlook with twice as many Scots as any other Brits loving maths.
Mrs Constable said: "We use numbers in every aspect of life, whether it's at work, shopping, or splitting the bill in restaurants, so maths is one of the most important subjects taught to us.
"We are failing this and all future generations if the approach to teaching maths is not revised to give everyone the chance to learn these vital skills."
She welcomed the government's budget proposal for one-to-one tuition for maths in primary schools and said she will continue to campaign for maths teaching to offer a number of approaches so as to engage everyone from schoolchildren to adult learners.
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