Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Palestinian shot and killed by IOF east of Al-Bureij camp in the central Gaza Strip
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Occupation forces opened machine gun fire toward outskirts of Aitaroun as locals headed for olive harvest.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone drops bomb at outskirts of town of Blida as people head for olive harvest.
Israeli media: Rafah crossing was not opened as planned, and no date has yet been set for the resumption of movement through it.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro: There will be no change in diplomatic relations with Israel until it complies with the agreements.
Maduro: We say to the people of the United States that we do not want war in the Caribbean or in South America.
Maduro: The sadists in America believe they can issue orders for the world to follow, that they rule while others must adapt. But the first to know this is false are the American people themselves.
Caracas: US maneuvers seek to legitimize regime change and seizure of Venezuelan oil resources.
Caracas: The announced US military deployment in the Caribbean region constitutes a policy of aggression and a threat against Venezuela.
Venezuela: We reject Trump's statements allowing US intelligence agencies to operate in Venezuela.

UK PM says 'anti-math mindset' costs UK billions of pounds

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 17 Apr 2023 17:23
2 Min Read

Sunak looks to push math as a mandatory subject to be taught to students until the age of 18, which is currently set at 16.

  • x
  • Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak delivers a speech on ending the
    Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak delivers a speech on ending the "anti-maths mindset" to boost economic growth at the London Screen Academy (LSA) in London, Monday, April 17, 2023 (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, pool)

According to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the country's innate "anti-maths mindset" costs it tens of billions of pounds in losses each year, hence requiring math instruction till the age of 18 will be beneficial to the economy.

"We’ve got to change this anti-maths mindset. We’ve got to start prizing numeracy for what it is – a key skill every bit as essential as reading," Sunak said.

Boosting numeracy rates aids the long-term interests of Britain, according to the prime minister.

"If we are going to grow the economy not just over the next two years, but the next 20, we simply cannot allow poor numeracy to cost our economy tens of billions a year or to leave people twice as likely to be unemployed as those with competent numeracy," he added.

Sunak believes that "maths is as important to the creative sector as it is to finance."

Related News

UK junior doctors commence six-day strike, longest in NHS history

UK teachers face unbearable workload and inadequate pay: NEU survey

This is a *bizarre* watch. Billionaire Sunak at a homeless centre in London, using the opportunity to lie about levelling up (!)

Sunak: do you work in finance?
Homeless man: no, I’m homeless, actually.

He’s never served anyone but himself.

pic.twitter.com/EKGR1G7Vgz

— Snow (@Lookinupatstars) December 24, 2022

The head of government announced his intention to raise the minimum age for compulsory math education back in January 2023.

The UK currently lists math as a mandatory subject to be taught to students until the age of 16; Sunak's reform to the educational sector will have students learn some form of math until they turn 18. 

Critiques of the multi-millionaire have called his plan unrealistic, as the UK educational system is understaffed and teachers have mobilized demanding better pay and working conditions.

The new legislation would overload current teachers with more schoolwork as Dr. Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said there was a "crisis of teacher retention as a result of low pay and excessive workload."

She said Sunak's aim was "laudable" and warned that his attempts would be "thwarted unless he faces up to the reality of the state of education in England". 

Read more: Dozens of activists arrested after halting Newcastle coal train.

  • UK strikes
  • teacher protests
  • Rishi Sunak
  • UK

Most Read

Iran strikes secret Israeli-US bunker under Tel Aviv high-rise

Tel Aviv high-rise struck by Iran hid Site 81, secret US-Israeli base

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
drop site

New report details extensive Israeli arson in Gaza after ceasefire

  • Politics
  • 13 Oct 2025
Illustration of fists breaking shackles, representing the liberation of Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. (Illustrated by: AL Mayadeen English/Batoul Chamas)

4 prominent Palestinian detainees to be freed: Who are they?

  • Palestine
  • 13 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Members of the media wait for Palestinian prisoners and injured at the Rafah border crossing in Egypt, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Rafah crossing to reopen for travelers from Gaza: Reuters

US President Donald Trump speaks during an event in the Oval Office at the White House, Wednesday, October 15, 2025, in Washington (AP)
Politics

'Israel' may resume Gaza war if Hamas breaches ceasefire, Trump says

Mourners attend the funeral of slain captive Captain Daniel Peretz at Mt. Herzl military cemetery in occupied al-Quds, Wednesday, October 15, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam Brigades hand over all living Israeli captives

Armored vehicles drive through a street during a government-organized march in support of President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025 (AP)
Politics

US approves covert CIA action in Venezuela: Reports

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS