A Professor of Mathematics Education at the University of Ibadan, Professor Mojeed Kolawole Akinsola has advised that Mathematics curricula should be redesigned to provide the knowledge, skills, experience, and perspectives that will enable our students to expand their capacities to take part in a wide range of human interests and activities; to confront personal, cultural, moral, and social problems and to cultivate both the requisite skills and enthusiasm for lifelong learning.
He gave the advice in the 531st inaugural lecture of the University, which he delivered on behalf of the Faculty of Education.
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The lecture was entitled
“Demystification of Mathematics: Glimpses from the Lens of a Mathematics Educator.”
Professor Akinsola said much more needed to be done about professional development programmes that will equip Mathematics teachers with the knowledge and skills they need to facilitate students’ learning.
According to the Professor, for teacher effectiveness in the classroom, a sharper focus should be placed on systematically strengthening teacher preparation, early career mentoring, and support, and ongoing professional development for teachers of Mathematics at every level, with special emphasis on ways to ensure appropriate content knowledge for teaching.
Professor Akinsola identified some myths associated with mathematics, such as it being a difficult subject, only for the clever ones, and a male dominant subject.
He said Mathematics myths perpetuate Mathematics anxiety and discourage students from trying to learn and love the subject.
He therefore, suggested further that Mathematics teachers should be abreast of modern trends in the teaching of mathematics.
He said the nation must continue to build capacity for more rigorous research in Mathematics Education so that it can inform policy and practice more effectively.
Professor Akinsola said only teachers who are specialists in Mathematics should teach the subject in the primary grade to lay the foundation.
He also recommended that overcrowded classrooms should be discouraged while more students are admitted to the Mathematics Education programme annually.
