Transforming Scotland into a maths positive nation: final report of the Making Maths Count group

Conclusion

The Scottish Government tasked us with developing recommendations to encourage greater enthusiasm for maths amongst children and young people, their parents and carers and the wider public.

We have met this remit by providing 10 practical, cost-effective recommendations to transform Scotland into a maths-positive nation. Our remit has been wide-ranging and so are our recommendations.

We have proposed a sustainable culture change strategy to transform public attitudes to maths. This includes the development of a Maths Week Scotland event.

We have set out a series of actions to improve confidence and fluency in maths. These range from making maths more relevant to everyday life and future careers to increasing proficiency in maths and improving initial teacher education and career-long professional learning.

We have set out an ambitious approach to promote maths as an essential skill for every career bringing together employers, national agencies, schools and colleges.

Each of these recommendations is necessary to address the negative attitudes towards maths that is holding Scotland back in the world. Implementing all of them can drive our nation forward educationally and economically. It all adds up if we want to give Scotland a bright future.