Why millions of Australian kids can't do math and what it could cost

A recent report from the Grattan Institute, a prominent Australian public policy think tank, found that one-third of Australian students in grades 3, 5, 7, and 9, amounting to about 1.3 million children, are not proficient in numeracy, according to the 2024 National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN).

The problem is even more pronounced internationally. Only 13% of Australian fourth-graders scored excellent results in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMMS), compared to 49% in Singapore and 22% in the United Kingdom.

Nearly half of Australia's 15-year-olds failed to meet math standards in the 2022 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA).

One key issue identified by researchers is the lack of confidence and skill among teachers themselves. A survey of about 2,000 educators and school leaders showed that 21% of primary school teachers feel less confident teaching math compared to other subjects. More alarmingly, 94% of principals indicated their teachers lack confidence in teaching math at the fifth and sixth-grade levels.

Jordana Hunter, education director at the Grattan Institute, said many policymakers wrongly believe that primary-level math is straightforward to teach. Teaching math effectively at any level, even kindergarten, requires specialized skills, Hunter emphasized.

The Grattan Institute also highlighted that overly simplistic approaches to teaching, including relying heavily on games and casual math activities, fail to build a solid understanding of fundamental math concepts. The result is that many children enter middle school without the necessary skills to succeed.

The impact on Australia's future workforce and economy is substantial. Poor math skills contribute to higher school dropout rates and future unemployment risks. About 75% of Australian employers have cited inadequate math and reading comprehension among their staff, leading to frequent errors and reduced productivity, Financial Review reported.

According to Deloitte Access Economics, a modest 5% improvement in Australia's PISA math scores could boost the nation's GDP by approximately $19 billion.

Experts are urging immediate reform. Effective teaching programs, systematic instruction and enhanced teacher training could help reverse the troubling trend. Some schools are already implementing these strategies, hoping to secure better futures for their students and Australia's economy.