Cable launches Commons Debate on Maths and Science Teaching

4.06.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 19th Apr 2004

Vincent Cable MP speaking in Parliament

MP Vincent Cable introduces an adjournment debate in parliament on Tuesday on the shortage of fully qualified maths and science teachers and the decline in standards of 'mathematical literacy' which are critical to employment in most modern industries and services.

Vincent Cable said that his constituency is "one of the most mathematically and scientifically literate in Britain, with employers like the National Physical laboratory and the Laboratory of the Government Chemist and with some excellent schools and the FE college. but the wider picture is absolutely dire with shrinking numbers of pupils with A level and further maths: declining numbers of qualified candidates applying to study physics and chemistry at university; and a growing proportion of teachers of maths and science having no or poor specialist qualifications".

"In my view, instead of the government pouring billions of pounds of tax-payers money, in subsidy and tax relief, to encourage private companies to do scientific research, it could use a smaller amount of money more productively by ensuring that there is an adequate supply of properly trained and qualified maths and science teachers in schools".