Whoever wins, both parties have done the right maths on STEM
Labour and the Conservatives are offering different policies, but have identified the same core problem for the next government to solve Labour and the Conservatives are offering different policies, but have identified the same core problem for the next government to solve Dr Jeffery Quaye National director of education and standards, Aspirations Academies Trust Dr Karen Skilling Associate professor Department of Education, University of Oxford 18 Mar 2024, 5:00 More from this theme Recent articles The Prime Minister’s ambition to reform post-16 education and ensure all pupils study mathematics until 18 has generated a lot of feedback, among which the most constructive is that the policy will require many more qualified mathematics teachers. Meanwhile, Labour have pledged to focus instead on a ‘phonics for maths’ programme aimed at younger pupils. Both policies should be welcomed, not only because both aim to see more pupils ultimately achieve better maths outcomes but because both parties have recognised a bigger problem: a culture of negative disposition towards the subject that is holding back whole groups of learners. Across …