Financial reward suggested for math study

LONDON, Feb. 23 (UPI) -- A report to be released Tuesday suggests providing financial incentives to British school students to do A-level or senior high-level mathematics.

The report is also likely to recommend splitting high school math courses into basic and advanced studies, the BBC reported.

The report was prepared by a group headed by Professor Adrian Smith, principal of London's Queen Mary College.

Smith told the BBC the present curriculum demoralized the less capable one third of the students and failed to stretch the brightest 10 percent.

He also said A-level changes had put students off studying the subject, thereby shooting "ourselves in both feet."

Smith's report would allow undergraduate tuition fees to be reduced if students have done A-level math.

He said the country will be in trouble if it does not make the issue a priority.