Arabic version: لجنة ACT توصي بجعل الرياضيات إلزامية للطلاب في الصفين 11 و12

The Mathematics Advisory Committee in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has recommended that year 11 and 12 students be mandated to study mathematics. This recommendation aims to enhance long-term outcomes for students, addressing concerns that not studying maths can lead to adverse effects, including exacerbating social and gender inequality in the workforce.

According to ABC News, the committee’s review indicated that students who do not take maths may lack essential skills needed in various job sectors, which could impact their future employment and earnings. Data from 2022 showed that 43 per cent of ACT students performed below the National Proficient Standard in mathematical literacy and reasoning.

The committee emphasized that the current educational structure allows students to drop maths, which may inadvertently reinforce social inequalities. The report highlighted that students’ subject choices are influenced by factors such as social background and school culture, potentially leading to disparities in educational outcomes.

Research cited in the report suggests that students who continue studying maths through to year 12 tend to achieve better long-term outcomes, including higher employment rates and increased earnings. The committee concluded that making maths compulsory could mitigate social pressures against engaging with the subject and better prepare students for the demands of the modern workforce.