Graduation rates in the mathematical sciences are not keeping up with workforce demand, according to a report by the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI).
The Discipline Profile of the Mathematical Sciences 2013 highlights trends as they apply to school education, higher education, research and research training, and career prospects for graduates. AMSI director, Professor Geoff Prince, makes this analogy: “Think of maths and stats as a small country. The population is ageing, fertility rates are falling, both emigration and immigration are rising, incomes are buoyant, men significantly outnumber women and we have to keep pushing up the retirement age because the demand for our skills is so high!”
Enrolments in intermediate and advanced mathematics subjects at Year 12 level have been declining over the past 17 years. This has resulted in a reduced intake of mathematically qualified graduates into teacher training programs, increased pressure on universities to accommodate less mathematically-prepared students, and stagnating interest in engineering and science courses despite high demand for graduates. And yet remarkably the discipline enjoys one of the country’s highest success rates in the competition for research grants.
“The mathematical sciences are more important to our well-being than ever before: climate change, finance, natural disasters, epidemics, genetic breakthroughs. Today’s 35-year-old research stars were 18 when the decline in maths numbers started, and as each year passes their successors will be harder and harder to find.” says AMSI director, Professor Geoff Prince.
The report states that teaching positions in mathematics are more difficult to fill than any other subject area. For example, in Victoria, 14.8% of vacancies for mathematics teachers remained without appointment, rising to 24.5% outside metropolitan areas. This means that many schools in regional and low socio-economic status areas are unable to offer intermediate and advanced level mathematics subjects in senior years.
The profile is accompanied by proposed policy measures to help reverse teacher shortages and increase mathematics enrolments at university level. These include a 5-year national careers awareness campaign for mathematics and statistics targeting schools and the higher education sector, and a national program to qualify those who are teaching mathematics ‘out-of-field’ in Australian schools, estimated to be around 40%.
For Interview:
Professor Geoff Prince
Director, Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute
B: (03) 8344 1779
E: director@amsi.org.au
Media Contact:
Stephanie Pradier
Media & Communications, Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute
B: (03) 9035 3683
E: stephanie@amsi.org.au
