As part of activities marking International Mathematics Day, education stakeholders have urged the public particularly students to discard myths surrounding mathematics and embrace its creative aspects.
14 of March every year is International Mathematics day.
The theme of this year’s International Mathematics day 2025 is Mathematics, art and creativity, held in Kaduna.
Some students, teachers, and parents shared their perspectives on the subject, emphasizing the importance of fostering a positive mindset toward mathematics to enhance learning outcomes.
The day is proclaimed by UNESCO in it’s 40th general conference held on November 2019 as international mathematics day.
It is a day set aside to celebrate greater global awareness of mathematical sciences as a vital tool in addressing challenges in areas such as artificial intelligence, climate change, energy and sustainable development and to improving the quality of life in both the developed and the developing worlds.
Speaking with Radio Nigeria, a mathematics teacher with fountains of knowledge schools, Mrs Agata Abah explained that mathematics is a very important subject that is relevant in life application.
Mrs Agata Abah said students developed fear for the subject based on what they have been told overtime that mathematics is a difficult subject.
” it is not difficult but with constant practice and interest a lot of students that have been termed bad in the subject ended up being good”, she said.
Another, mathematics teacher, Mr. Adebayo Ademola noted that mathematics as a subject is not difficult but it depends on how it is been taught.
He advised that a friendly environment that will make learning interesting for the learners should be considered while teaching the subject.
Also a teacher with Kingdom Heritage Model school, Goni-gora, Mrs Ayotunde Akin who took out time to explain the creative pattern she uses to teach her students explained that mathematics is the foundation to all subjects hence the need for everyone to have interest in it.
Mrs Ayotunde Akin noted that the mathematics ambassador awards and competitions been organized by various organizations have been a boost to the subject as many students upon seeing their mates been recognized are now interested in it.
On their part, a student with KHMS goni gora, Tobilola Peter and a student with Fountain of Knowledge Kaduna , Amazing Yusuf pointed out that they are happy for the day because they love mathematics.
According to Amazing Yusuf she picked interest in mathematic due to the teaching technique of her teacher.
In a remark a parent and a clergy man, Pastor Vincent Eje pointed out that the subject is very important and called on parents to take it seriously by buying textbooks and materials their children need to understand the subject perfectly.
An expert Dr. Hilary Francis with Mathematics Africa Project maintained that they use the day to award outstanding students in some selected schools with the mathematics ambassador awards and certificates, which serves as encouragement to many learners.
Naomi Anzaku Ekele.
