Top teams participated in the International Mathematical Olympiad pose on stage with their national flags on July 15 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. [Provided to China Daily]

Last month, the US nudged China to win this year's International Mathematical Olympiad, its first in 21 years, prompting Chinese netizens to express shock. Although some netizens have reacted very strongly to the loss, the standard of mathematics in China has indeed been on a gradual decline, with some people even demonizing it as a subject.

Many have complained that mathematics is too difficult to learn yet not helpful in real life. Some say the Olympiad math taught in schools consists mainly of stunt problems designed to make life difficult for students, and thus it deviates from the essence of math and stifles children's interest in the subject.

Such "public opinion", spread far and wide thanks to some "opinion leaders", has affected the decision-making of education authorities, prompting them to downplay the importance of Olympiad math. As a result, the number of students excelling in math and other science subjects - on whose strength they are recommended to top middle schools and universities - has largely shrunk. As math questions in all kinds of exams are becoming less difficult, many key science universities have not been able to enroll enough qualified students. Moreover, fewer students who are outstanding in math choose to major in the subject and, convinced by their parents, prefer majors such as finance, economics and management.

The contradictory mentality of Chinese on math results from an incorrect understanding of the subject and the education system. Many people who say math is useless don't realize the mobile phones, computers and the Internet they use came into being because of math. Without math, the technologies we take for granted would not have been possible.

Many Chinese believe sports or music talents should get a place in prestigious universities. In stark contrast, the bonus points given to students who excel in math or other science subjects in the college entrance exam, or gaokao, have been canceled. The Olympiad math training, according to the detractors, only increases the burden of students and even kills their interest in the subject.

Indeed, arts and sports can boost the comprehensive strength of teenagers. For example, even if just one student in a class is good at soccer, all his/her classmates are still encouraged to play the sport. But the same logic is not applied to math. It is necessary for all students to develop mathematical thinking, because it will help them better understand how the world operates. And those who have the potential to further explore the world of math could attend extra math classes.

It is natural that some students will drop out as the math training intensifies and competition increases. Elimination is normal because like every system the one for math training is also designed to select the best candidates to unravel the significance and true meaning of subject. This helps math talents to be appreciated for their excellence, and encourages them to strive to achieve breakthroughs in science and make greater contributions to society.

The real problem for math education is the collateral damage the exam-oriented education system has done to the subject, which requires innovation and divergent thinking. Math has been reduced to equation, calculation and answers by the current education system, distorting the general public's impression of the subject.

The day Chinese parents start encouraging their children to study math and other science subjects, just like they do with arts, music and sports, China will take a giant step not only toward the "spring of science" but also toward truly contributing to the world of science.

The author is vice-president of Chongqing Vocational College of Art and Engineering.