Students will be equipped with important life skills from more specialist teachers and a new maths-based HSC course.
It is important for all students to feel confident with maths and numbers by the time they leave school so they are set up for success in whatever career they choose. A new education strategy will inspire more students to study maths and give them with the skills they need to thrive after leaving school.
The new strategy includes:
- new maths-based HSC course piloted from next year, for students who have not typically chosen to study maths, focusing on numeracy and practical applications for everyday life
- recruitment of 100 specialist primary school maths teachers over five years
- 320 scholarships valued at $50,000 each for STEM undergraduates and career changers to fund a Master’s degree
- work with universities to encourage students to take higher level HSC maths courses
- introduce more Maths Ambassadors to encourage students in developing a love for maths.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said that about 82 per cent of students currently take up maths-based subjects in their HSC and with this new strategy, this number may get closer to 100 per cent.
“I am a passionate believer that education is the great enabler – I, like many others, am living proof of that. I am also a passionate believer that we need to do everything we can to prepare our students for a stronger, better future,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“My vision is for every child in NSW to have the necessary maths skills to succeed in life – whether that’s managing home budgets or preparing them for the high tech jobs that will be on offer in coming years.”