A Political Thread pt. 2

[Reiser99]

Poll reveals voters negative about Labour and Tory attack ads

Posters attacking Rishi Sunak on crime made Britons feel less favourable about both main parties, Opinium finds

www.theguardian.com

The disappointing thing is if it was the reverse it probably would have worked for the Tories. I said I don't like it, but it's depressing that voters hold different parties to different standards.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Rishi Sunak sets up review to tackle 'anti-maths mindset'

An advisory group will consider whether a new maths qualification is needed for 16 to 18-year-olds.

www.bbc.co.uk

I mean Sunak isn't actually wrong on this. The problem is he doesn't recognise the fix. You can't simply add 2 years more maths and think that will fix the problem. The problem stems from a cultural attitude that doesn't value education enough, lack of teachers, lack of funding, large discrepancies in the funding there is... 2 more years of maths will just make those problems even worse.

As a society we need to get back to valuing education and also get back to valuing education other than academic (eg some people simply do not perform well at school but will perform well in a workplace environment).

 

[ncurd]

Rishi Sunak sets up review to tackle 'anti-maths mindset'

An advisory group will consider whether a new maths qualification is needed for 16 to 18-year-olds.

www.bbc.co.uk

I mean Sunak isn't actually wrong on this. The problem is he doesn't recognise the fix. You can't simply add 2 years more maths and think that will fix the problem. The problem stems from a cultural attitude that doesn't value education enough, lack of teachers, lack of funding, large discrepancies in the funding there is... 2 more years of maths will just make those problems even worse.

As a society we need to get back to valuing education and also get back to valuing education other than academic (eg some people simply do not perform well at school but will perform well in a workplace environment).

Its more complex got way more to do with attitudes towards Maths (and other subjects) at an early age and imbedding a culture of once you think you can't do it not allowing kids who need more time getting their head round the fundamentals time to do so.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Yes I feel if they stretch the time maths is taught it would most likely be more palatable for the large majority of kids.

 

[ncurd]

Yes I feel if they stretch the time maths is taught it would most likely be more palatable for the large majority of kids.

Problem is they won't extend early year to get fundamentals in they'll likely just force kids to take A-Level Maths (or whatever the **** it these days its 20 years since I took it).

 

[ncurd]

"Almost a third of 16 year olds in England fail GCSE maths each year and face compulsory resits in college. The resit pass rate is about one in five."

This is what you have to fix.

 

[Reiser99]

"Almost a third of 16 year olds in England fail GCSE maths each year and face compulsory resits in college. The resit pass rate is about one in five."

This is what you have to fix.

I disagree, as you hinted at before, it's early years and primary where the core skills are gained. If children leave primary without the basics it becomes incredibly difficult to catch up.

Reality is though we want children to value education in a country where it has been stripped of nearly all support and funding down to minimum levels. How about fund education properly first before claiming we need more education.

 

[ncurd]

I disagree, as you hinted at before, it's early years and primary where the core skills are gained. If children leave primary without the basics it becomes incredibly difficult to catch up.

Reality is though we want children to value education in a country where it has been stripped of nearly all support and funding down to minimum levels. How about fund education properly first before claiming we need more education.

That's my entire point adding two year of Maths when you are already forcing resits and have a high failure rate won't fix a damn thing. You have to get to the core why 1/3 of people are failing GCSE Maths.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

The simple solution is to make the exam easier - Says man who always hated maths.

 

[ncurd]

The simple solution is to make the exam easier - Says man who always hated maths.

The exam wasn't exactly taxing the first place - Says the man who got a B and didn't do a single piece of homework in the 2 years.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

The exam wasn't exactly taxing the first place - Says the man who got a B and didn't do a single piece of homework in the 2 years.

Question 1: If the government misses their target to recruit maths teachers every year for the past 12 years and their target was cut by 39%, what is the maximum number of maths teachers the government could have recruited? Show your working (8 marks)

 

[Welsh Exile]

Making philosophy mandatory from ages 6 through to 18 is much more important than extending Maths for 2 more years.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Maths is BS. It's importance is way overstated. Teach kids how to count times tables basic **** is all you need. If you want to specialise in it great. What would actually be more beneficial is financial classes rather than pure maths per se

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Making philosophy mandatory from ages 6 through to 18 is much more important than extending Maths for 2 more years.

Maybe not 6-18 but I agree that a good philosophy curriculum would be incredibly beneficial to children.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Maybe not 6-18 but I agree that a good philosophy curriculum would be incredibly beneficial to children.

I was thinking of saying 11-18 but I actually think, like with most things, the earlier the better. Also, I'd want it's importance to be normalised in the same way Maths, Science, reading and writing is.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I was thinking of saying 11-18 but I actually think, like with most things, the earlier the better. Also, I'd want it's importance to be normalised in the same way Maths, Science, reading and writing is.

Yeah, I was more thinking 6-15 than 18. I don't think forcing A Level / Leaving Cert students to do it, even as a non-exam subject is fair or worthwhile. When I was in primary school RE was compulsory, I think philosophy is an easy swap there and make RE an elective in secondary school and to be taught in as secular a manner as possible.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Yeah, I was more thinking 6-15 than 18. I don't think forcing A Level / Leaving Cert students to do it, even as a non-exam subject is fair or worthwhile. When I was in primary school RE was compulsory, I think philosophy is an easy swap there and make RE an elective in secondary school and to be taught in as secular a manner as possible.

Yeah that's a much better idea to be fair. Ok, we're agreed, 6-15 and we take this to our respective governments this afternoon and demand it to be implemented with the threat of force if needed.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Have a laugh, or cry, at this. What ever takes your fancy.

 

[Saintjay]

I have a friend who had a degree in pure mathematics. I think she said it's real world application and use in a career was very limited. Mainly astrophysics or something.
I also remember sat in school learning about arable farming and water tables. I had zero interest and the kids who weren't so bright got to do car mechanics. I'd have found that much more useful. Totally agree with others that day to day maths yes, once it gets specialist maybe not so much.

 

[BrokenWing]

demand it to be implemented with the threat of force if needed.

How would you calculate the amount of force needed without the pointless maths?