Are Canadian schools failing to teach basic math skills?
In this episode of The LeDrew Three Minute Interview, Stephen speaks with Dave McGinn about the growing debate over math education in Ontario and across Canada.
McGinn, who regularly covers education policy and classroom trends for The Globe and Mail, explains why concerns over declining math skills have become a major issue for parents, educators, and policymakers alike.
The conversation focuses on the shift away from traditional arithmetic instruction toward “discovery math,” a teaching philosophy that critics argue has weakened students’ grasp of basic fundamentals like multiplication, division, and practical everyday math.
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LeDrew and McGinn also discuss the broader implications of declining numeracy — from financial literacy to workplace readiness — and why many parents feel the education system has drifted too far from core skills.
As Ontario reviews how math is taught in schools, the question remains: are students being prepared for real life, or are they falling behind on the basics?
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