There is a scarcity of math teachers in the UK. A prominent British mathematician has connected the high percentage of Russell Group university graduates who infrequently pursue careers in education to the lack of math teachers, according to Times Higher Education.
Speaking at a summit, Catherine Hobbs, the director of the Heilbronn Institute for Mathematical Research, pointed out that changes in undergraduate recruiting patterns over the last ten years may be the reason for the shortage of math instructors in training.
Meanwhile, at some institutions with moderate tariffs (cheaper fees), the number of math students enrolled each year has dropped to a few dozen.Since around 25% of departments are dedicated to teaching math, this is critical for teaching because certain departments are becoming unviable.
However, she stated that just 8% of students from higher tariff colleges attend math departments.
The strategy by Rishi Sunak is making the dearth of math teachers more evident. He made arithmetic instruction a requirement for all English schoolchildren up until the age of eighteen.
Announced in January 2023, this program will need hiring a significant number of more math teachers.
Institutional changes' effects on math education
Professor Hobbs noted that the closing of math departments with cheaper tuition was leading to an increase of "maths deserts" in the UK.
She stressed that several math departments were significantly impacted in 2015–16 by the abolition of institutional student number limitations.
She clarified that official measurements were to measure encouraging applications to universities in the Russell Group.
The strategy by Rishi Sunak is making the dearth of math teachers more evident. He made arithmetic instruction a requirement for all English schoolchildren up until the age of eighteen.
Announced in January 2023, this program will need hiring a significant number of more math teachers.
Institutional changes' effects on math education
Professor Hobbs noted that the closing of math departments with cheaper tuition was leading to an increase of "maths deserts" in the UK.
She stressed that several math departments were significantly impacted in 2015–16 by the abolition of institutional student number limitations.
She clarified that official measurements were to measure encouraging applications to universities in the Russell Group.
"You don't need massive pieces of equipment or new laboratories—maths is a relatively cheap subject to expand into.”
"It would be fantastic if there were an increase in math students overall, but the number is staying the same because it was putting a lot of strain on smaller departments at Oxford Brookes University, which declared that it would close its math department in November 2023."
"That might imply that, even though the employment outcomes would be as good as studying computer science, a bright young person from the Oxford area, say from Cowley, who wants to study math but can't get into Oxford, will be advised to study computer science at, say, Bristol."
Still, she said doing away with the Russell Group metric would be a good idea.
She did, however, add that it was unlikely that student number limitations would be reinstated and that it would even make things worse.
Significance of this for Nigerians
Potential international students from Nigeria might start thinking about studying math at these Russell Group universities since many graduates from elite universities, like the Russell Group universities (well-known UK institutions), are not choosing professions in education.
In addition, the lack of math teachers creates a high demand in the industry and raises the possibility of landing a position in the field that may require a work permit.
She did, however, add that it was unlikely that student number limitations would be reinstated and that it would even make things worse.
Significance of this for Nigerians
Potential international students from Nigeria might start thinking about studying math at these Russell Group universities since many graduates from elite universities, like the Russell Group universities (well-known UK institutions), are not choosing professions in education.
In addition, the lack of math teachers creates a high demand in the industry and raises the possibility of landing a position in the field that may require a work permit.
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