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Low self-esteem and confidence levels contribute to maths anxiety, including performance anxiety and a negative perception of our maths skills.

Why is math anxiety a big concern?

Although it may not be a widely recognised issue, the high number of UK students who have anxiety toward mathematics is a cause for concern. The fact that 1 in 4 students - and as many as 40% aged 14-15 - are afraid of maths and don’t believe in their own abilities raises red flags for a crisis of anxiety, low confidence and low self-esteem in our schools.

Math anxiety also impedes learning because preoccupation with anxiety affects attention and processing speed. Research shows that being preoccupied with fear or stress can make it harder for people to access their working memory. Having low self-esteem and low confidence has also been shown to demotivate students, resulting in poorer academic performance.

Khurma goes on to highlight the knock-on effect of this widespread psychological barrier on the economy: “Math anxiety reduces the number of young adults pursuing careers needing such skills. The UK economy gains £200 billion annually from its maths talent - 10% of its overall GDP. It is easy to see the impact on a country and its economy, when it is so reliant on its math skills.”

Overcoming maths anxiety

Experts recommend that parents and teachers use positive reinforcement in order to build up young people’s self-esteem and confidence in their maths abilities. Some also suggest reframing anxiety - for example, having them write down and think critically about their worries regarding maths in order to help them realise the fear is illogical.

Khurma believes it’s also important to make maths fun and engaging from an early age. Cuemath is a global after-school one-on-one adaptive learning programme that makes use of interactive simulations. The personalised teaching techniques are designed to increase student’s engagement by making maths learning less about abstract concepts and more of a human activity.

“Math anxiety often stems from being overwhelmed by an established body of material; a perception of orthodoxy where one must learn by heart to succeed. We advocate and teach a more nimble and versatile perspective on maths thinking, and logical problem-solving.”

THE PROBLEMS

INCOME INEQUALITY IN THE FINANCIAL SECTOR, WOMEN MAKE UP ONLY...

11.3% 18% 11.2% 6%

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