Triggering PTSD flashbacks of trigonometry lessons in every arithmophobe and ripping open their still-healing wounds left behind by once having to learn algebra and solve quadratic equations, British PM Rishi Sunak recently said that the country must ‘reimagine its approach to numeracy’ by extending compulsory maths education past 16, to 18 years of age. He added that the skills are essential in ‘a world where data is everywhere and statistics underpin every job’. Though spoken like a true descendant of the land of Aryabhata, Srinivasa Ramanujan and disgruntled dads and moms who think ‘maths and science are subjects while humanities is just a joke, beta’, Sunak has incensed the part of the electorate that was more than happy they’d never have to calculate the circumference of a cylinder again in their life.
While many have pointed out that the plan won’t work due to the acute shortage of maths teachers in the nation, others couldn’t help but test the premier’s own maths literacy by throwing Britain‘s current cost of living and the National Health Service crisis-based equations back in his face on social media. Already branded as ‘out of touch’ by the masses for his Prada loafers and four cars, Sunak’s critics say his Marie Antoinette-like ‘let them learn more maths’ take amid the record-high inflation definitely eats the cake.
