The New South Wales government will roll out a new mathematics course to try to keep all students in the subject until the end of school.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Education Minister Rob Stokes on Monday announced a plan to equip students with necessary life skills or encourage them into a STEM career.
A new HSC course will be piloted from next year to target students who wouldn’t otherwise choose maths.
The subject would focus on “numeracy and practical applications for everyday life”, the government announced.
“We have done well to encourage students to study maths, with about 82 per cent currently taking up maths-based subjects in their HSC,” Ms Berejiklian said.
She wants to see the number get closer to 100 per cent.
Primary schools will also share 100 new specialist maths teachers to be recruited over the next five years.
Scholarships valued at $50,000 will be on offer for 320 undergraduates to get a master’s degree in STEM.
The NSW government said it would also work with universities to incentivise students to take on more maths courses.
Award-winning maths teacher Eddie Woo, who was appointed a NSW Maths Ambassador earlier this year, was “delighted” with the announcement.
“Maths is an integral part of all of our lives and I am confident more students will be inspired to study it with a little bit of encouragement and guidance from passionate ambassadors and teachers,” Mr Woo said.
The government also said it would build on the Maths Ambassadors program.
