Decline of mathematics teachers in national school system worrisome — Don
By Dennis Udoma, Uyo
Professor of Mathematics Education in the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Amos Awodeyi has decried the decline in Mathematics teachers across school systems nationwide.
Awodeyi said the decline in professional mathematics teachers in primary, secondary and tertiary systems in the State, could turn into a dangerous trend if the situation is not addressed in order for the school system to remain atop and able to produce future Mathematics professionals.
The University Don made this known during the 101st inaugural lecture held at the main campus of the institution on Thursday titled, “The Art of Mathematics Education, Development, Research and Teaching; My Journey So Far.”
Awodeyi, who gave an expose on the subject matter stunned participants; students, teachers, school management with discoveries in the world of Mathematics, and charged the students to develop passion and commitment in learning the subject.
“The starting point towards ameliorating the poor performance in mathematics learning and teaching is retraining of serving teachers on teaching documents.
“Further Mathematics should be made compulsory for all secondary school students who aspire to study science, mathematics and engineering at tertiary level of education.
“Teachers should let the mathematics topics make sense to their students; teach with the knowledge of the goals of mathematics teaching in schools, and focus on the objectives of teaching the topics in the classroom; tools and instructional materials should be handy; students should be engaged with relevant activities in the classroom and take home exercises should generate activities for students,” Prof. Awodeyi advised.
Vice Chancellor and Chairman of the inaugural lecture, Prof. Nyaudoh Ndaeyo commended the lecturer for his expertise in mathematics describing him as a great asset to the University.
He extolled Awodeyi’s scholarly ingenuity in Mathematics maintaining that he has paid his last due required of every Processor and inducted him into the “Hall of Fame” of the inaugural lecturers of the institution.
