Although I agreed with the points made in Eugenia Cheng’s article (What if nobody is bad at maths?, 29 May), it was disappointing to see that once again the 3-4 million people in the UK with dyscalculia were left out of the conversation.
Dyscalculia affects 6% of the population (roughly the same number as dyslexia), and can manifest in difficulties understanding place value, memorising numerical facts, reading numbers and mental calculation. Some of the Dyscalculia Network’s board of trustees have been researching, writing and campaigning on it for almost 30 years. Yet many believe dyscalculia is still about 10 years behind dyslexia in terms of awareness.
It is something I experience, and it has meant that despite holding a PhD in literature, speaking another language fluently, and being a published author, I’ve never passed my maths GCSE, despite many attempts. Not having a maths GCSE is a major barrier to employment. I have spent time on universal credit, as have hundreds of others who contact the Dyscalculia Network looking for help. And yet there was no mention of dyscalculia in the article or in parliament’s recent discussion for National Numeracy Day or from the prime minister during his many pronouncements on the policy for students to study maths up to the age of 18.
The Dyscalculia Network advocates for compulsory training in dyscalculia for maths teachers, awareness of dyscalculia in the workplace, and a maths curriculum that does not extend to 18 but rather focuses on numeracy needed in daily life. As Eugenia Cheng’s article shows, maths is everywhere, and no one knows that more than dyscalculics – maybe it’s time that we started listening to them and including them in our discussions?
Peter Cherry
Pulborough, West Sussex
• Have an opinion on anything you’ve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
