Ogun state government has revealed that its continuous commitment to education especially in the Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) has yielded positive results visible in the outstanding performances of learners in both national and international competitions.
The Governor of the State, Prince Dapo Abiodun made this known at the 58th Annual National Conference of the Mathematical Association of Nigeria (M.A.N) themed ‘Innovative Mathematics Teaching, Learning and Research during the Pandemic Era’ held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta where he posited that STEM component has brought valuable contribution to a well-rounded education.
The Governor represented by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Abayomi Arigbabu explained that the study of mathematics helps young people to analyze information, eliminate errors and make conscious decisions when designing solutions, revealing its administration efforts in ensuring improved methodology to teaching the subject through various training and workshops for teachers of Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Agricultural Science and Information Communication Technology.
“Our government has contributed tremendously especially in STEM education, along with the unprecedented training for STEM teachers has propelled outstanding performance of our learners in national and international competitions”, he submitted.
Abiodun who described MAN has a key players in driving Nigeria to her dream state, he therefore encouraged them to maximize the opportunities and knowledge gathered at the conference for personal development and betterment of the society.
In his address, the National President, Professor Kamoru Usman reaffirmed the association’s commitment in using technology to chart new ways to encourage teachers and lecturers development in order to share knowledge through the new normal, collaboration, communication and networking for global best practices.
In his keynote address, Prof. Ezekiel Ayoola of the University of Ibadan submitted that there should be enough encouragement from government, creative and new innovative ways should be identified in making teaching of mathematics interesting, to inculcate new ideas to curriculum review and development amongst others.
Presenting the lead paper, titled ‘Innovative Mathematics Teaching, Learning and Reseaching During the Pandemic Era’, Prof. Alfred Olufemi Fatade of the Tai Solarin University of Education, department of Mathematics posited that mathematics play a vital role in fundamental ways to career innovation, business, finance, health and defense, hence the need for any nation to tap into the power of mathematics for present and future development.
Prof. Fatade revealed that for effective and improved teaching and learning of mathematics subject, the use of traditional methods of teaching prominent at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels which has made students passive in the classrooms must be discouraged, while different digital technology modes, approaches and platforms be explored for creative content and delivering of the subject.