Ministerial claims that all is well in our schools look plain silly, says Dr Mary Bousted, when compared with the reality of crumbling buildings, a shortage of teachers, funding shortfalls and much more

 

I am genuinely at a loss over the government’s education policy. Increasingly I am of the view that Rishi Sunak, Gillian Keegan and Nick Gibb exist in an alternative universe where wishing makes it so.

Prime minister Rishi Sunak’s recently stated his ambition to have all students studying maths, in some form, up to age 18.

When first announced this policy was criticised by some commentators, and by students, who argued it was unreasonable and unfair to insist on the study of maths until 18.

I disagree. I hated maths and was a poor student in the subject. But I would have gained a great deal from following a maths course to 18 that was tailored to my future needs. Understanding compound interest would have been a great help in making important life decisions – including mortgage payments.

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