By Kate Obande-Okewu
Abuja – The Association for Promoting Interest in Mathematics and Sciences (APRIMATHS), has called on mathematics teachers to device practical ways of making mathematics attractive and appealing to Nigerian students.
Mr Chike Obed-Emeribe, Executive Director, APRIMATHS made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.
He described the present mathematics education in Nigeria as “rote learning.’’
Obed-Emeribe explained rote learning as a system, where students learn by memorising and writing examinations, instead of understanding, adding that this has killed the interest of students in the subject.
“As a result, students perceive mathematics as a mere boring drill with no practical relevance and we have discovered that students’ apathy for the subject stems from their phobia for it.
“This fear comes from the gap that exists between the nature of mathematics, which is abstract and the nature of human learning organs, which is concrete,’’ he said.
According to him, APRIMATHS has developed a model called: “Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)’’ to bridge the gap between the nature of mathematics and that of the human.
He added that the model connects mathematics concepts to students practical life experience and to aid improvement in mathematics education in Nigeria.
Obed-Emeribe said that efforts were being made to distribute the models to private schools presently.
He also called on the government to adopt the model for public schools to make learning of the subject simple for students.
The mathematics expert also urged policy makers to entrench mechanisms for update and targeted content in maths and science education, in line with our national development plan.
Reiterating the need for teachers to make the subject attractive, he said: “ teachers must continue to seek new ways of presenting the subject so as to appeal to students.
“Also, definite career path must be created for maths and science majors; students must be made to realise that their life and the life of our nation depended on mathematics and things related to it.
“Adequate reward system in terms of scholarships and good jobs should be made to await those who brave the path of mathematics and sciences in our nation.’’
NAN recalls that World Mathematics Day holds every first Wednesday in March yearly; it is an online competition with up to four million students world-wide participating.
The competition measures speed in arithmetic and numeracy skills on the Live Mathletics platform and runs for 48 hours and is open to all schools around the world. (NAN)