Fed: Mathematicians call on Howard to address crisis

AAP General News (Australia)
04-04-2007
Fed: Mathematicians call on Howard to address crisis

The world's leading mathematicians have written an open letter to JOHN HOWARD .. urging
him to act immediately to prevent Australia losing its mathematics capability.

Experts are concerned about a shortage of maths teachers .. a decline in the number
of high school students studying maths to senior .. and shrinking maths departments at
universities.

A recent national review of mathematical sciences found Australia's starting to lose
its edge in industries such as mining and biotechnology .. as the shortage of statisticians
and mathematicians becomes critical.

The letter .. signed by 110 of the world's leading mathematicians and almost 400 Australian
academics .. urges the government to act in response to the report.

AAP RTV dcr/imc/bart

KEYWORD: MATHS (CANBERRA)

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