Why Australian students are dropping out of maths in alarming numbers

The number of students enrolling in maths at school has dropped to an alarming low.

For the first time, the number of year 12 students taking the highest level of mathematics has fallen below 10 per cent, new analysis by the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute reveals.

Broadcaster, author and maths genius, Adam Spencer, says a staggering number of teacher taking mathematics classes aren’t qualified to do so.

“Unfortunately at the moment about 40 per cent of kids in year 7 to 10 get at least one year’s teaching from a teacher who is not qualified to teach mathematics,” he told Ross and Russel.

“It’s particularly difficult if it’s taught by someone who’s not great at teaching it.

“If you spend a year in mathematics really not understanding what’s going on, it’s such an incremental building block subject, if you fall behind it’s remarkably hard to get back on top.”

Press PLAY below to hear Mr Spencer on why so many kids are falling behind in mathematics