The UK government 's Department for Education reported in 2006 that 47 percent of school children left school at age 16 without having achieved a basic level in functional maths , and 42 percent fail to achieve a basic level of functional English . The UK government 's Department for Education reported in 2006 that 47 percent of school children left school at age 16 without having achieved a basic level in functional mathematics , and 42 percent fail to achieve a basic level of functional English .