Efforts reverse maths decline but problems remain

- the ‘AS’ and ‘A’ level subject for children who are good at, and interested in, the subject. However, the number of students taking it is still nowhere near as many as before, and there is also a big problem in finding enough good maths teachers. Charlie Stripp (pictured), programme leader of The Further Maths Network, says that the number of students taking the subject fell from 15,000 to 5,000 over the period 1980 to 2004. Since then, a number of efforts, including the setting up of 46 regional centres across England, has led to AS level Further Mathematics numbers rising to 6,292 and ‘A’ level to 7,270 this year. Sir Peter Williams, chair of the Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education says: “If we are to compete effectively in a global economy the country needs more graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. These subjects are completely dependent on students being fluent and confident in mathematics. Students who have studied Further Mathematics before they go to university are very well-prepared to deal with these maths related degrees.” At the press event he said that by contrast with the UK, China produced around 600,000 science, technology, engineering and mathematics graduates in 2004. For more information see the News section of the October edition of "Eureka" and also The Further Mathematics Network.