www.mathprepa.com

A new teaching method is urgently needed to save another generation of children from failing at mathematics, according to research out today.

A new survey has revealed that an estimated 16 million people struggle with mathematics in the UK -well above current government figures - and over half of the population believe that ineffective teaching techniques are to blame.

Mathematics nationally produces one of the lowest set of results among the 41 GCSE subjects and almost 1/3 of those asked believe the situation is getting worse.

The findings come as Tony Blair pledged to increase education spending in England from £61 billion this year to £73 billion in 2010 but experts say the fundamental system of mathematics teaching needs to be addressed if there is to be any change in the low mathematics pass rate.

The research, conducted for online educational resource Mathprepa.com, has found that standards in mathematics are still worryingly low despite billions more being spent in the classroom. A third of survey respondents believe that a new approach is needed.

David Grant of Mathprepa.com said: "Increased investment alone is not delivering improved results.

"Our study and others prove that the current approach fails a significant proportion of the population. Schools need to adopt an approach that engages those pupils that are missing out. Numeric skills are just too important throughout our entire lives to write off as many people as we do now."

Nearly a quarter of parents are struggling to help their children with mathematics homework while one adult in ten tries to avoid doing any sums at all in their daily life. One in six people also claim their poor skills have reduced their job opportunities or earning limits.

The problem is worst in Wales and the Midlands where well over a third of people struggle with mathematics and feel uncomfortable using it in any situation.

Only Scotland shows a more positive outlook with twice as many Scots as any other British loving mathematics.

Mrs Constable said: "We use numbers in every aspect of life, whether it's at work, shopping, or splitting the bill in restaurants, so mathematics’ is one of the most important subjects taught to us.

"We are failing this and all future generations if the approach to teaching mathematics’ is not revised to give everyone the chance to learn these vital skills."

She welcomed the government's budget proposal for one-to-one tuition for mathematics’ in primary schools and said she will continue to campaign for mathematics’ teaching to offer a number of approaches so as to engage everyone from school children to adult students.