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