| Abstract: | Policy decisions and their implementation impact on the teaching and learning of mathematics in many ways. Sometimes this is overt and takes account of local factors and professional opinion. However global economic policies, often dominated by the actions of huge multinational corporations, can have considerable influence on all aspects of education including mathematics education. These policies appear to be creating greater inequity between and within nations. Quality mathematics education for all, a recurring theme at International Congress on Mathematical Education meetings, is becoming less of a reality. At the same time, mathematics education at every level is increasingly influenced by powerful bureaucrats rather than by the profession. It is suggested that mathematical scientists need to try to understand the political forces affecting mathematics education for the ICMI study on teaching and learning mathematics at the tertiary level to have maximum impact. |
