Mathematics has been registering a dismal performance over the years. And it is no surprise for the same trend to continue so long as the negative mindset towards the subject is not corrected.
Many students enroll for the subject in their KCSE examination because it is a compulsory subject. Students need to understand that mathematics is a core subject into many disciplines such as Engineering, Architecture, Actuarial Science, Economics, Accounting, among others. And for those careers that Mathematics seem to have a vague application; Agriculture, Management, Geology their prerequisite subject such as chemistry cannot be fully appreciated without understanding their language which is mathematics.
At higher level of education whether one is undertaking art or a social science based course, Statistics (a unit of mathematics) comes in handy.
It is true that there are several perpetrators to this negative attitude towards mathematics. The general public believes that maths is an abstract subject meant for the intelligently – gifted; while others take it to be a subject with the teachers’ content evaporating during exams. Yes, some students hold methodology of teachers accountable.
These reasons have a point to put across, but for how long?
Mathematics geniuses are an encouraging testimony. Sir Isaac Newton – the father of calculus was so innocent as an intelligent pupil till Grade Five when he embraced new study approaches that matriculated him into scholarly achievement with a trial of discoveries.
Albert Einstein hated maths to the extent that he wanted to drop school altogether, were it not for the encouragement of his family members to read the work of pioneer mathematician of his time, Einstein, the discoverer of relativity and quantum theory, coined his spontaneous laws with a dexterous acumen in mathematics. These shows some students who are scoring Es might be dormant mathematics geniuses who have failed to persist through attitude, teachers and learning skills.
Maybe this is the perception that prompted Thomas Edison to conclude; geniuses are 1 per cent inspired but 99 percent perspired.
Maths is a unique subject from the rest because its concepts and ideas are linked in step-by-step in a continuous process. This gives no room for cramming that is a common in students. By the way most students (individuals) are not happy with the absolute exactness in both numbers and process (formulas that keep on developing as you study along).
But this hiccup can be overcome by beginning with the basic concepts as you build up through the given syllabus- doing a lot of practice.
Have we ever thought of the price we are paying as a nation from our hatred towards mathematics?
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