Do not make maths a compulsory subject for post 16; teach skills for real life · petition

What the petition asks

The government is proposing that all young people should study some form of Maths until the age of 18. Not only is this an unnecessary feat, but this time and funding could be spent on more useful teaching opportunities such as life skills; how to pay tax, rights as a tenant, how mortgages work etc

Maths is a difficult subject for many people; those who don't pass GCSE with a grade 4 have to resit until they pass or turn 18. The government need to honestly consider how making young people study further maths is going to benefit them. It doesn't teach them how to budget or apply for a mortgage, it doesn't teach them about interest rates or explain what our council tax pays for; these are the skills that young people need to go into the world after education and be well rounded adults.

Why it was rejected

There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.

We have published the following petitions, which you might like to sign:

Keep Maths and English A-Level non-compulsory and let us keep a choice: Keep Maths and English A-Level non-compulsory and let us keep a choice

Cancel plans for "maths to 18": Cancel plans for "maths to 18"

As part of the national curriculum content on citizenship schools are required to teach students about income and expenditure, credit and debt, insurance, savings and pensions, financial products and services, and how public money is raised and spent.

You can read the citizenship programmes of study here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-citizenship-programmes-of-study/national-curriculum-in-england-citizenship-programmes-of-study-for-key-stages-3-and-4

Timeline

11 Jan 2023	Petition opened for signatures
13 Jan 2023	Rejected by the Petitions Committee