Centre of excellence to boost maths teaching
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Maths teachers are to be sent back to school as part of a drive to make their lessons more interesting and to entice more subject specialists into the profession.
Charles Clarke, the Secretary of State for Education, announced the creation yesterday of a National Centre for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching, to "undo the myth that it is acceptable to be poor at maths".
Mr Clarke was speaking at an international mathematics seminar organised by the Advisory Committee for Mathematics Education (Acme), an independent group set up to improve maths lessons.
Sir Christopher Llewellyn Smith, chairman of Acme, said almost one in four maths lessons was not led by a subject specialist, and filling all vacant posts would require 40 per cent of all new graduates to choose teaching as a career.
Mr Clarke said he planned to "inspire and support" maths teachers. "The sad fact is that maths still frightens too many people, including teachers," he told the seminar. "We have to ensure that all teachers, not just maths specialists, are confident when handling mathematics."
The new centre will aim to improve maths teaching from pre-school numberwork to mathematics degrees as well as courses for adults.
It will provide teachers with professional training and support projects for the mathematically gifted.
Sir Christopher welcomed the centre's creation, which Acme had proposed in December. "We desperately need to reverse the downward spiral in maths education," he said. "The under-supply of numerate graduates means it is difficult to recruit new teachers of maths with good quality mathematical backgrounds. A closed loop has been created, with not enough of today's pupils and students turning into tomorrow's maths teachers."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments