July 24, 2012

expert reaction to Lords report on science education

A briefing at the SMC announced the recommendations of a House of Lords Science and Technology Committee report on Higher Education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), including making maths compulsory beyond the age of 16.

Philip Greenish, CEO, The Royal Academy of Engineering, said:

“The need to bring about a rapid return to sustainable economic growth is self-evident. The failure in the UK to get enough young people to engage with mathematics post-16 is also equally self-evident. The Select Committee report shows that the UK must improve post-16 maths so that students are properly prepared for the demands of science and engineering degrees. There can be no greater priority for our education system and the future of UK growth.”

Imran Khan, director of the Campaign for Science and Engineering, said:

“The breadth of the Committee’s concerns show that science and engineering have not, as often assumed, had an ‘easy ride’ over the past few years.

“If the Government adopts the report’s recommendations, including some serious analysis of what skills employers need compared to what our higher education sector is actually producing, we might get a genuinely joined-up strategy for STEM education – which is what the UK is desperately going to need if we’re to be competitive in tomorrow’s high-tech economy.”