Education
Regulate Teaching Of Mathematics, Acting VC Tells MAN
The Acting Vice-Chancellor of the Rivers State University(RSU), Nkpolu, Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Prof. Opuenebo Binya Owei, has called on members of the Mathematical Association of Nigeria (MAN) to introduce measures that would regulate the teaching of Mathematics in both primary and secondary schools across the nation.
Making the call recently while speaking at the opening ceremony of the 56th Annual National Conference of MAN held at the Faculty of Law of the institution, Prof. Owei commended the leadership of MAN for choosing to be host for the 56th edition of the conference, noting that Mathematics has remained the mother of all science subjects, and that the course has been taught in the University since the institution was established as a College of Science and Technology.
She however, expressed worries that over the years, the enrolment of candidates in the study of Mathematics has been low due to perceived difficulties associated with the study of the course , adding that it was due to the poor teaching of the subject at the foundational levels where non-mathematics teachers are allowed to teach the subject in primary and secondary schools.
According to her, the trend is affecting the educational system, but that the situation can be corrected if MAN insists that only her members are allowed to teach Mathematics in primary and secondary schools, which, she said, is the practice in tertiary institutions.
In his speech, the National President of MAN, Prof. Mamman Musa, said the theme of the Conference which is “Mathematics and Entrepreneurship Education for National Development,” was carefully selected to merge with the focus of the Conference, which will highlight the roles played by mathematics towards the acquisition of entrepreneurial skills for the improvement of the society.
Prof. Musa stated that the outcome of the Conference will go a long way to address the challenges related to unemployment among Nigerian graduates, especially those who studied Mathematics.
Delivering the Keynote Address on the theme of the Conference, the representative of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Ndowa E.S Lale, defined Mathematics as “the science that deals with the logic of shape, quantity and arrangement. It is the building block for everything in our daily lives, including mobile devices, architecture (ancient and modern), art, money, engineering, and even sports.”
Represented at the occasion by Prof. Mary Paschal Iwundu, the UNIPORT VC noted that mathematics enhances all aspects of individuals to assist in solving problems and facilitates the rapid socio-economic growth and development, through accurate record keeping, national census and other economic indicators, which supports the planning and implementation of programmes by government and non-governmental organisations.
A total of 28 universities including university of Abuja ,attended the conference
The River State Commissioner for Education, Dr Peters Nwagor has called on media practitioners in Rivers State to deploy their various communication platforms toward promoting government programmes and policies aimed at achieving sustainable development in the education sector. Dr. Nwagor made the appeal when members of the Etche Ethnic Practicing Journalists (EEPJ) paid him a courtesy visit in Office in Port Harcourt. The Commissioner emphasized the strategic role of the media in shaping public perception, promoting government initiatives, and supporting policies capable of improving the quality of education and human capital development in the state. According to him, constructive media engagement remains essential in creating public awareness on educational reforms, students’ welfare, infrastructural improvements, and other interventions being implemented by the state government. Speaking on the recent appro
