What Happened To Numeracy?

[ToraToraTora]

https://news.sky.com/story/all-pupils-in-england-to-study-maths-until-18-under-rishi-sunaks-new-mission-12779266
Not sure what the PM means by, pupils will study Maths until 18, I assume he means the ones that are still in education. Anyway I find it shocking that:
"Around eight million adults in England have the numeracy skills of primary school children, " - so what happened? Why are we so innumerate as a nation? I'm not talking about Calculus here just basic 'rithmetic.

[ToraToraTora]

16:46, well you've led a very sheltered life then me old china.

[Zacs-Master]

I can assure you, I haven't. I think because your involved in IT and Finance, numeracy skills may be slightly more on your radar.

[schoolster]

I work in a Sixth From which has approx 500 students. If a student did not achieve at least a grade 4 in GCSE Maths then they have to attend compulsory Maths classes, then resit in the November exams. If they still don't gain the coveted grade 4, then they will carry on until they do, or leave after the 2 years. It happens.

If the government want all of these 500 students in to sit Maths classes, (approx 200 will already be taking A level or Core Maths) I hope they're going to put extra funding in place for it, and extra class rooms that currently don't exist.

The whole thing is a soundbite to gain attention without actually thinking about the logistics of changing a school curriculum.

[ZebuSanctuary]

TTT //"numeracy skills intended to deal with unknowns?"-Of course//

Surely numeracy skills have to incorporate real life applications.

For example;
Student measures the length and width of a room and finds their respective values to be 4 metres and 3 metres. Multiplying these two values (4 x 3) gives 12 square metres or 12 m²

Subsequently student purchases carpet to cover floor of room.

Whereas topics such as algebra and trig, would require the student to transpose formula and/or have available a set of tables.

Does this not go outside the bounds of numeracy?

[Prudie]

I feel some of the reason we are innumerate as a nation sits firmly with primary schools. Once pupils have not reached a standard at that level they are often a lost cause once they move up to secondary level. It may not be the most pressing issue but I applaud it being at least acknowledged as a problem.

It doesn't help, as perfectly expressed by some on this thread, that it has always been OK, even a badge of honour or level of cuteness, to openly admit you are useless at maths or see it as pointless.

[Togo]

//What Happened To Numeracy?//

Teachers and school principles happened to numeracy. If they cant see the point or understand that the basics are a requisite in all walks of life, what chance have the pupils got of taking it seriously. Too busy learning that XX = XY and 2 + 2 = anything you want it to be.

[naomi24]

^similarly with literacy. Grammar and spelling, unimportant, as long as you get your ideas down. Result, grown adults can’t even do a crossword puzzle because they can’t spell.

[ichkeria]

Some people here have been to very odd schools (!)

[bednobs]

There are some on this thread who can't even muster the basic level of English to spell Human Rights, BBC or health and safety.

[Bazile]

I could recite the 1to 12 times table since I was about 6 years old ( still can )

Am I special ?

[bednobs]

Also you have said both that 8m people DO have primary school skills and that they DONT. Which one is it?

[ZebuSanctuary]

// badge of honour or level of cuteness, to openly admit you are useless at maths //

Could it be such platitudes are really used to mask feelings of inadequacy?

[Togo]

Afraid not Bazile. Lots of us who had our schooling before the political tutorial regime set up by the left wing zealots and insidious woke despots can do just that. The children who have been subject to the indoctrination by the would be social engineers never had a chance. The only ones who do have the benefit of an education worthy of the name are thre fortunate ones who attend private or one of the diminishing Grammar schools. That is why the NUT and like bodies want them closed and why our politicians send their own children to them. Wicked beyond belief.

[tiggerblue10]

I have to work out split funding and raise purchase orders where I work. I use excel for formulas as it save me time and effort. I also have to quality check annualised hours timecards for over 200 staff. That can be a bit of a nightmare when working out part time hours public holiday entitlement for people who don't work Mondays.

I don't remember learning any of the above in school but that was around 35-40 years ago.

[piggynose]

16.45 where's yr proof my ol' china ?

[Canary42]

Having completely bug gered up Education by their constant interfering, politicians (of all Parties) now face the consequences.

Their solution - do more of what caused the failings in the first place (i.e. political interference). Isn't that the definition of madness?


Why don't the politicians let teachers get on with teaching, they don't try to tell brain surgeons how to operate.

[piggynose]

16.45 I stand corrected me old china. I somehow wrote down 165/37 instead of 167/35!!!

[Peter Pedant]

What pupils aren't in education?
sir sir
I have two pupils that are not in education....

( completely unfathomable PP comment: oddly enough in Ancient Greek the pupil of the eye was named after a young man ( kore). same word)

[piggynose]

So yes it's 20.96

[DTCwordfan]

well, let's see the skills applied here - A bat and a ball cost one £ and ten p in total. The bat costs a pound more than the ball. How much does the ball cost?