UKM Study finds Malaysian students struggling with basic maths as reliance on calculators and ChatGPT grows

**UK Students Risk Losing Basic Maths Skills as Reliance on Calculators and AI Grows**

Malaysian students are struggling with basic maths skills, raising concerns about the long-term consequences of an over-reliance on calculators and AI tools. According to a two-year study conducted by Associate Professor Kalaivani Chellappan, more than 80 per cent of students aged between nine and 12 are unable to solve mathematical questions requiring basic calculation and reasoning skills.

Background & Context

The study, which involved 12 schools in suburban areas of the Sepang district, was conducted from March 2024 to February 2026. The findings highlight a growing trend of students relying on smartphone calculators and AI applications such as ChatGPT to solve mathematics problems. This shift has significant implications for the development of critical thinking and analytical skills in young people.

The widespread use of digital technologies in daily life has led to concerns about the potential impact on numeracy and reasoning abilities. While technology can improve efficiency and facilitate the learning process, over-reliance on it may undermine the mastery of basic skills essential for developing rational thinking and sound judgment.

Key Details

Associate Professor Kalaivani Chellappan, a senior lecturer at the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Systems Engineering, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, conducted the study to investigate the relationship between technology use and maths skills in young students. The study found that the majority of students relied on smartphone calculators and AI applications to solve maths problems, rather than learning calculation methods.

The study further revealed a trend of lower maths performance among pupils who were overly reliant on digital aids when they entered secondary school. This highlights that technology cannot fully replace the basic learning process, as strong numeracy and thinking skills must first be developed before AI can be effectively used as a support tool.

What Experts Say

Associate Professor Kalaivani Chellappan warns that the issue is not that these children are not smart, but rather that modern lifestyles are increasingly limiting opportunities for them to work with numbers in their daily lives. She emphasizes that calculators and AI tools can provide answers, but it is thinking ability that enables a person to assess whether an answer is reasonable and whether the information is reliable.

The expert believes that efforts to strengthen numeracy skills cannot rest solely on schools, but require the participation of parents and the community. Parents can encourage children to take part in daily tasks such as preparing budgets, shopping, measuring cooking ingredients, estimating travel time, and reading analogue clocks, to nurture reasoning and problem-solving skills.

Key Takeaways

• More than 80 per cent of students aged between nine and 12 are unable to solve mathematical questions requiring basic calculation and reasoning skills.
• The majority of students rely on smartphone calculators and AI applications such as ChatGPT to solve maths problems.
• Lower maths performance is observed among pupils who are overly reliant on digital aids when they enter secondary school.
• Efforts to strengthen numeracy skills require the participation of parents and the community.

What This Means For You

The study's findings have significant implications for parents, educators, and policymakers. It highlights the need for a balanced approach to learning, where technology is used as a complement to traditional teaching methods, rather than a substitute. By encouraging children to engage in daily tasks that require maths skills, parents can help develop their critical thinking and analytical abilities.

Moreover, educators and policymakers must work together to create an environment that fosters numeracy and reasoning skills in young people. This can be achieved by incorporating maths-based activities into daily school routines and providing parents with resources and support to help their children develop these skills.

In conclusion, the study's findings serve as a wake-up call for the importance of developing basic maths skills in young people. By working together, we can ensure that the next generation of students is equipped with the critical thinking and analytical skills necessary to succeed in an increasingly complex and technology-driven world.