I've been thinking about this for ages, but never had the time to craft the words around it.

People keep saying that "Maths should be fun" ... and I push back with "It should be engaging ... 'fun' is a different thing.

So @rakhichawla has posted pretty much exactly this, but better than I ever could.

I'm copying it here with permission.

Please read this, then as it says at the end ... let's have a deeper conversation about this ...

1/n

(PS: I'd love this to get boosted to get outside my bubble ... you're all amazing, but there will be other opinions, and other thoughts that could be helpful or valuable)

Hashtags: #MathEd #MathsEd #MathEdChat #MathsEdChat #MathChat #MathsChat #MTBoS #TMWYK

Quoting @rakhichawla :

Making maths and science fun is all the rage in education today. But is fun the answer?

Or have we confused temporary entertainment with true engagement and deep learning?

“Education should be fun,” they say.

But fun is a leisure activity, not a learning strategy.

Everywhere, there’s an attempt to paint maths and science with a brush of entertainment.

Flashy apps, gimmicky tools, party games, and catchy slogans have replaced the essence of true learning.

But here’s the problem: fun is fleeting.
When the glitter fades, what remains?

2/n

(Quote continued ...)

When we chase fun in education, we risk missing its true purpose.

In its raw form, math doesn’t need to be fun; it needs to engage the intellect, stimulate curiosity, and transform.

True learning is about:

1. Building resilience through challenges.

2. Exploring the beauty of solving problems.

3. Experiencing the satisfaction of understanding something deeply.

A truly engaging math lesson pushes students to think, connect, and question.
It empowers them to move beyond spoon-fed solutions to build their reasoning and strategies.

Anything less—flashy games, gimmicky tools, or mindless edutainment—is a disservice.

3/n

(Quote continued ...)

When education relies on fleeting fun, it risks creating passive learners dependent on systems for their growth.

True education should stimulate the mind, ignite curiosity, and leave students with a sense of empowerment—not shallow excitement.

Let’s face it: fun can spark interest, but only engagement can sustain learning. If the learning mechanism is all glitter and no depth—be it in schools, coaching centres, or edtech platforms—it’s nothing but an eyewash.

It is a trap designed to keep students dependent on the system rather than making them thinkers.

Let’s stop selling kids short.

Let’s start focusing on engagement that outlasts the glitter of "fun."

The future doesn’t need entertained kids—it needs empowered thinkers.

What are your thoughts? Let’s spark a deeper conversation.

4/n