British PM Rishi Sunak wants all pupils to study maths till they’re 18

On Wednesday, British PM Rishi Sunak said that he was looking at plans to make sure all students in the United Kingdom study maths in some form until the age of 18. In his first speech of 2023, Sunak said that “We’re one of the few countries not to require our children to study some form of maths up to the age of 18. Right now, just half of all 16-19-year-olds study any maths at all”.

“’In a world where data is everywhere and statistics underpin every job, our children’s jobs will require more analytical skills than ever before,” said UK’s PM Rishi Sunak during a speech on Wednesday. The Prime Minister’s Office gave an official statement that confirmed all the pupils in the United Kingdom will be required to study maths till they turn 18.

The Indian-origin Prime Minister added that “In a world where data is everywhere and statistics underpin every job, letting our children out into that world without those skills, is letting our children down. So we need to go further”.

The PM added that they will focus on that students study some form of maths till they get 18. “That doesn’t have to mean compulsory A level in maths for everyone. But we will work with the sector to move towards all children studying some form of maths to 18,” the PM said.