Soundbites won’t do the sums

IT says a lot about those entrusted to run our education system that they so readily identify very specific – yet clearly unproven – factors as cause and remedy for the demise of maths in our schools.

Anyone with experience at the ground level knows that one does not need to possess a maths degree to teach ordinary level mathematics.

It is alarming to hear a representative from the ASTI dismiss engineering and science graduates as inadequate in this regard. The ability to inspire, motivate and clarify are far more relevant skills than academic excellence when dealing with a weak young student.