British teaching unions demand that the government cancel primary school multiplication table exams

Recently, according to a report by the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph on August 31, British teaching unions have made demands to the government, calling for the cancellation of multiplication table tests for British primary school students and simplifying English grammar exams to reduce students' anxiety.

Currently, all fourth-grade students in public schools in England must take multiplication table tests, and sixth-grade students also have to take exams related to grammar, writing, and mathematics. The British teaching unions believe that these exams bring unnecessary pressure to children and lead to high levels of anxiety among students. Therefore, they urge the Ministry of Education to reduce the number of exams during primary school and simplify the most difficult grammar exams.

This demand has been summarized and sent to British Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson. The Ministry of Education will review these demands to decide whether to adjust the current British curriculum and assessment system. A member of the teaching union said, "We are not saying that children don't need to learn multiplication tables. They are very helpful, but the tests can be made optional."

The former Conservative government of the United Kingdom approved multiplication table tests in 2018. At that time, Education Secretary Nick Gibb believed that this move would enable a generation of Britons to "recite multiplication tables effortlessly." When he learned that teaching unions were demanding the cancellation of these exams, he was very dissatisfied and said, "This would be a step backward and a huge mistake."

Opinions in the education field are divided on this matter. Some people support the proposal of teaching unions and believe that excessive exam pressure is not conducive to students' physical and mental health and all-round development; but some people are also worried that canceling exams may affect students' mastery of basic knowledge and enthusiasm for learning.

As the discussion unfolds, all sectors of British society are closely watching the final decision of the Ministry of Education. This decision may have an important impact on the future direction of primary education in the United Kingdom.