Enugu Governor Wants Governments to Support Mathematics Education

 

Onyebuchi made the call in Enugu on Friday during a courtesy visit by the Acting Chief Executive of the National Mathematical Center, Prof. Adewale Solarin.

He stressed the importance of mathematics education in schools, adding that no nation can develop without the subject.

The acting governor attributed the declining interest in mathematics to the attitude of some teachers.

Onyebuchi called for constant training and re-orientation of mathematics teachers in the country.

He reiterated the commitment of the government toward sponsoring mathematics competitions in secondary and tertiary schools in the state.

The governor lamented the phasing out of subjects like mental arithmetic, writing and reading from school syllabuses, saying it contributed to the decline in students’ interest.

``Without being an expert, one will easily know the importance of mathematics in education, especially in science and technology.

``That is why I believe that every government at all levels should support bringing back students interest in mathematics and give it the importance it deserves.

``I believe that you will work to ensure that it will be entrenched back into the curriculum. For us in Enugu State, we will be happy to partner and collaborate with you to promote interest in mathematics through competitions in mathematics at the secondary and tertiary levels,’’ Onyebuchi said.

Earlier, Solarin said the visit was to interact with the government and demonstrate the commitment toward enhancing the performance of students in mathematics.

He explained that the centre, created more than 25 years ago, had designed some programmes to remove the phobia for mathematics from students.

According to him, the programmes include mental arithmetic, mathematics teaching modules, mathematics games, electronic teacher as well as mathematics clinics to make the subject easier for students.

Solarin disclosed that the alma mater of the late Prof. James Ezeilo, the founder of the centre, would be used as a pilot study for the programmes.