Get Calculators Out of Primary Schools
- by: Donna Munt
- recipient: School Principals Everywhere
I was horrified last year when I saw a calculator on my daughter's book list for Grade 2. We didn't use calculators until high school, and even then we didn't need them terribly often.
Calculators will undermine any effort to teach young children to work out mathematical problems in their heads.
FOR EXAMPLE: A couple of years ago we ordered some pizza. A guy aged around 17 delivered it to us at home. The price was $18.90. We gave him a $20 note. He fished out a calculator from his pocket to work out the change. That is absolutely freakin' ridiculous!
So please, sign this petition and help stop the ongoing campaign to dumb down our children.
We, the undersigned, are officially voicing our opposition to the use of calculators by young primary school students.
With the widespread declining levels of numeracy and literacy in today's world, what possible benefit can be gained by allowing young children to use a calculator to work out their sums instead of their brains?
Our children are bright, but if they're not encouraged to use their minds and sharpen their skills at every opportunity, then how can we expect them to flourish? We shouldn't be making things easier for them - that is not the way to prepare them for the real world.
We thank you for taking the time to read this letter, and hope you will give the subject serious consideration.
