Maths a failing subject

"From 1951 to 1970 these were a rigorous test of thought and initiative in algebra, arithmetic and geometry. Students were required to think for themselves,'' the report said.

By 1980 questions were becoming simpler. "Following the introduction of the GCSE there was a sharp drop in difficulty, with questions leading pupils step by step to a solution. Pass marks were lowered throughout the period.''

Instead, pupils are trained to answer specific "shallow'' questions designed to gain them maximum marks. Moves to make GCSEs modular threaten to undermine maths education even further.

Pupils now only need to get 20% of the exam questions right to get a "C" grade, and to be honest from some of the youngsters who have come to work for Job interviews their basic knowledge of Maths is awful,

I think it's time that the education authorities got back to basic's and get students up to scratch...