Is maths the most important lesson? Britain’s leader Rishi Sunak thinks everyone should study maths until they leave school. But some believe it already has too much importance.
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UK PM: All pupils should learn maths until 18
Is maths the most important lesson? Britain's leader Rishi Sunak thinks everyone should study maths until they leave school. But some believe it already has too much importance.
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What's happening?
The British prime ministerA prime minister is the head of government in a country with a parliamentary system. Rishi Sunak has made his first big speech of 2023. He wants to make sure that every child has maths lessons until they are 18.
Sunak says he wants people to have the skills to look after their money and understand numbers at work. Today, only half of 16-to-19-year-olds in England have lessons that include maths. Many agree that learning maths is one of the most important skills - it is key to understanding everything from money and computers to language and even poetry.
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Others say we are too focused on maths and exam results. Instead of more maths, children should have more lessons on mental health, politics and even the law.
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Is maths the most important lesson?
Yes! So many parts of adult life rely on having a good understanding of numbers. Schools are letting students down.
No! Maths is important, but so is art, science and writing. And everyone has a calculator on their mobile phone.
Keywords
Prime minister - A prime minister is the head of government in a country with a parliamentary system.
UK PM: All pupils should learn maths until 18
Double vision: At present, approximately half of 16-to-19-year-olds in England study maths. Glossary
Prime minister - A prime minister is the head of government in a country with a parliamentary system.