Math and Science Success Rates Hit Rock Bottom in Scotland
A report published in Scotland reveals a steady decline in the success rates of secondary school students in math and science subjects. According to the analysis by the Scottish Education Reform Commission, only 40.1% of students aged 14-16 passed the National 5 Mathematics exam. In popular science subjects, the success rate is 25.9% in biology, 22.5% in chemistry, and a mere 17.9% in physics. The low performance in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields is alarming experts.
Carole Ford, a former school principal and commission member, noted that this trend aligns with Scotland's poor performance in international PISA results for math and science. She attributed the issue to a shortage of teachers and students avoiding challenging courses. Additionally, limiting students to selecting only six subjects in many schools further exacerbates the problem.
Experts warn that this failure in STEM education could jeopardize Scotland’s economic future. They urge the government to develop an innovative curriculum that inspires students to engage in these fields. The Scottish Ministry of Education defended its flexible curriculum approach, stating that students make their own choices regarding courses. However, critics argue that this flexibility compromises the quality of education rather than enhancing it.
Click here for the source
