Readers remain unconvinced by the prime minister’s plan for students to study maths until the age of 18
Re your article (Rishi Sunak to propose maths for all pupils up to age 18, 3 January), as somebody with a BA and MA in economics (and Ofsted’s most recent national lead Her Majesty’s inspector for economics, business and enterprise), I am all in favour of giving everyone enough numeracy to navigate the economy and see through political nonsense, but extending the policy of forcing kids to do subjects they hate at 14-16 to 16-18 may not swing my vote.
Some critics have pointed to the shortage of maths teachers. Some have pointed out that the policy is not about everyone doing A-level maths, while others have then asked what is the point for those who have already passed GCSE maths? It is an interesting question as not much attention seems to have been given to the fact that maths to 18 or until you pass GCSE is already compulsory, based on the educational philosophy of Thomas H Palmer’s Teacher’s Manual from 1840 (If at first you don’t succeed, try, try and try again) as opposed to Einstein’s view that to keep doing the same thing expecting different results is madness.
Adrian Lyons
Colchester, Essex
