BY SUNNY A. DAVID
The Nigeria Association of Mathematicians, Anambra State Chapter has joined their counterparts all over the World in commemoration of The International Day of Mathematics, IDM.
The event which took place in Awka attracted Mathematics teachers around the State to the yearly event for all countries
The theme of this year’s celebration is “Mathematics is everywhere”. The State Chairman of the Association, Dr. Chike Obienyem in his address said that the choice of this year’s theme for the celebration is not only that it is a reminder to all especially teachers of the subject at primary and secondary School levels to adopt instructional methods and strategies that will demystify the fear the learners over the years associate with Mathematics.
Dr. Obienyem said that Mathematics help to plan and manage economic and social systems as well as enable the move towards a sustainable use of resources.
Speaking during the event, the Chairman Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board, Mr. Patrick Ugbaja represented by a Director in the Board, Lady Sarah Ezepue, commended the Association for the commemoration of the day which he said will encourage teachers in the State to remain focused in leading students and pupils to eliminate the phobia of Mathematic on the younger generation.
Mr. Ugbaja urged participants to disseminate all they learnt round their local government council and expressed the Board’s readiness in adopting innovations that will better the education system of the State.
Delivering a paper, Dr. Peter Okafor from Ayamelum while underscoring that mathematics is paramount to all and sundry and as such it should imbibed by everyone, asked teachers to adopt effective techniques needed in teaching the subject to allow the students understand the subject better.
On the Importance of effective lesson preparation for Mathematics teaching and learning, Dr. Okechukwu Ijeoma from the Federal Polytechnic Oko said every child is created to be useful and as such no child is born mathematically barren.
He advised both parents and teachers to always be positive and determine to provide enabling opportunity for individual to experience success and made it clear that assignments are to encourage students to be busy and learn at their own pace.
Students and pupils displayed some teaching approaches they are subjected to in their various schools.
