Adetunji Olaoye, a Professor of Mathematics Education has called for proper funding of education programmes to enhance teaching of the subject in schools.
Olaoye, lecturer at the Department of Science and Technology Education, Faculty of Education, Lagos State University (LASU), asserted at the 89th inaugural lecture of the institution on Tuesday, in Lagos.
The theme of the inaugural lecture was: “Mathematics Education of Knots in Human Connects: What Types of Knots Are You To Others in Life?”
He said that the government funding must be in line with UNESCO’s recommendation of 26 percent budgetary allocation.
“It will help to afford the provision of relevant and available instructional facilities to enhance mathematics teaching.
“Many teachers do not have adequate knowledge of mathematics but centre their teaching on the examination that students are to undergo.
“Most teachers avoid the teaching of topics like construction and loci due to their inadequate knowledge on one hand, and technical drawing topic range in mathematics.
“For Nigeria to attain the status of self-reliance as stated in the National Policy on Education (2014), mathematics must be well taught,” Olaoye said.
He said that mathematics is a language for the understanding of science and technology.
“Mathematics education is the pedagogical dissemination of mathematical knowledge from the teachers to the students,” he said.
According to him, the development of any nation depends on the level of its education, and the need for relevant and available instructional facilities cannot be overemphasised.
“Most of the cumulative problems which teaching and learning of mathematics encounter among the students is as a result of non-relevant instructional facilities,” Olaoye said.
He said that research in mathematics education should explore more areas for students’ benefit.
“The recruitment of teachers, mathematics teachers inclusive, should not be based on who knows who, instead, the premium should be given to those who have educational qualifications to take centre stage of appointment.
“Different seminars should be organised for the teachers to ensure teaching effectiveness in the classrooms and update them on current discoveries towards adaptation into teachings.
“By exposure to various seminars and workshops, mathematics teachers will be updated on different techniques of demystifying mathematical concepts which were not properly taught during the pre-service period,” Olaoye said.
