Chronic teacher shortage makes Rishi Sunak's math plan impossible, experts warn

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Education experts and unions say Rishi Sunak's promise to have all students study maths until the age of 18 is unachievable as shortages chronicle of teachers in the subject is "at crisis point".< /p>

The government has missed its teacher recruitment target in seven of the last eight years, according to official statistics.

The Prime Minister has unveiled plans to make it compulsory in England to study some form of maths until the age of 18, saying the jobs of the future will require more analytical skills than ever.

He pointed out how many other developed countries, including Canada, Germany and the United States, require that mathematics be studied until the age of 18.

The former chancellor aims to help people better manage their personal finances, as well as improve their professional skills.

However, critics say the inability to do matching teachers' salary increases to inflation has led to staff shortages.

The Education Policy Institute said people aged 16 to 24 in England have some of the highest levels of numeracy developed countries.

But David Robinson of the think tank said the government must first address the lack of qualified maths teachers and increase funding for 16 -18 year olds to match to that of children in grades 7 to 11.

“Secondly, any new mathematics provision must work not only for those studying at A level, but also for the majority of students studying in vocational training and technical qualifications ues,” he said.

“Finally, many students are already not proficient in math by the age of 16, and many have fallen further behind during the pandemic. . The government will need to help these students close the gap before a major expansion after age 16 can be successful."

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says he wants children to learn maths until age 18. With real problems recruiting and retaining teachers, lagging salaries in education and needed investment...