One of the architects of the Abbott government's school curriculum reforms says more students should be encouraged to pursue maths and science.
The coalition on Friday announced that Kevin Donnelly, a former chief of staff to Howard government minister Kevin Andrews, would be one of two men to review the national schools curriculum.
Mr Donnelly said education should be pared back to basics.
"We really do need to look at how we teach mathematics and science and English," he told Macquarie Radio on Monday.
"We really do need to know whether the millions and millions of dollars that's gone into education over the last 20 years, where results have flatlined or have gone backwards - we want to know how effective that money has been."
He said successful school systems in Finland, Korea, Singapore and Japan showed moves to "cut it right back to the basics" instead of teaching "edgy babble" had been effective.
"We aren't getting enough young people to do mathematics and science, chemistry, the harder mathematics subjects in years 11 and 12," Mr Donnelly said.
"Part of the reason is, especially (at the) primary, lower secondary (level), unfortunately there are teachers teaching mathematics who aren't properly trained."
He also criticised what he said was a "politically correct" approach to classroom discipline.
"Teachers can't raise their voice, they're not allowed to criticise children or admonish them because that's going to hurt their self esteem apparently," he said.
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