Britain’s skills gap ‘due to parents passing on their dread of maths’

PARENTS are to blame for the science and maths skills gap because they put their children off the subjects, an industry leader has warned.

Mothers and fathers who make negative remarks such as “I hate maths” are discouraging youngsters from pursuing the subjects, according to David Lakin, head of education at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

A poll of 1,000 parents commissioned by the IET found that rather than helping children with their science and maths homework, three quarters of parents relied on Google. A quarter of parents said their own lack of confidence in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) has affected their children’s progress.

As a result, the UK faces the prospect of “falling behind in expertise at a global level because of a nationwide shortage of young engineering enthusiasts”, the IET warned. “Parents need to be mindful of how their own confidence and enthusiasm towards certain subjects can influence and shape their children’s development from an early age,” Mr Lakin said.

“This study suggests that parents are subconsciously dissuading their children through their attitudes towards STEM. We want to equip them with the knowledge and skills to better support and encourage their children in these areas, regardless of their own expertise.

“Exciting young people about STEM and its endless possibilities will set them on an exciting path that could lead to a fulfilling and rewarding career in engineering and technology.” The most common response of parents when asked to help children with homework is “It was taught differently when I was at school”.

Rather than telling children about their dislike of maths, Mr Lakin recommended that parents should make comments such as “I wish I worked harder at maths when I was at school”.