The Royal Society publishes CEER report

Alan-Smithers-Pamela-Robins Teacher provision in the physical sciences and mathematics has been a long-standing and deep-seated problem in many countries. As part of its Vision for Science and Mathematics Education project, The Royal Society commissioned Professor Alan Smithers and Dr Pamela Robinson to review provision in England, the UK, and worldwide.

England has struggled to recruit teachers in the sciences ever since attempts were first made to get the sciences off the ground in schools following the Great Exhibition of 1851. Since then successive UK governments have tried and failed to recruit to the required levels. Currently, the staffing is dominated by biologists, with acute shortfalls in physics and also maths.

Not all countries are in the same boat. In those with a strong workforce, such as Finland, Japan, Singapore and South Korea, teaching is regarded as an attractive high status profession. It is difficult to get into, which enhances its status.

The report makes ten recommendations to The Royal Society including that it puts its weight behind helping the profession to establish a Royal College of Science and Mathematics Teaching.