Westpac partners with maths app to boost Australian students’ numeracy skills
Through the partnership with Mathspace, Westpac will offer free access to the $99 app to Australian students.
In another gift to the nation to celebrate the bank's bicentenary year, Westpac has partnered with Mathspace, a startup math development app, covering the $99 app download fee for Australian students.
In addition, for every student who subscribes to the premium product, Mathspace Plus, and successfully completes the set tasks, Westpac will refund the $10 weekly subscription fee to a Westpac bank account.
New research released today by Westpac found 25% of Australian parents would not be comfortable helping a child complete high school level maths, and almost half (49%) are concerned their lack of maths skills would negatively impact their children.
The research also revealed that, on average, those who completed maths up to years 11 - 12 earned around $7,000 more each year than those who only completed maths to years 7 - 10.
Through the new partnership the bank hopes to boost the numeracy levels of Australian students by providing the digital tools they need to practice their maths skills.
“Numeracy plays a critical role throughout many life stages, from purchasing your first home and starting a family to transitioning to a comfortable retirement,” Westpac head of youth and millennial markets Ashley Gray said.
“We’ve partnered with Mathspace because we believe their interactive digital platform is market leading, and with the help of parents and teachers, has the ability to increase Australia’s national maths standards. If you get the maths right, you’re in good stead to get the rest right,” he said.
Mathspace CEO and co-founder Mohamad Jebara said the app was designed to facilitate learning beyond the classroom.
“Nearly half of current Australian jobs are at risk of being disrupted by automation and technology. We have the very real and very challenging job of training our children for jobs that don’t yet exist. One thing we know for certain, is that the majority of the jobs of tomorrow will require strong mathematics skills, and we’re not producing enough students with these skills,” Jebara said.
Mathspace is used by over 100,000 Australian students in 200 schools, and provides interactive online tutoring for students in years three to twelve.
