N.M.C. end 5 day training for maths teachers in Uyo BY GODWIN SAM

The National Mathematical Centre (NMC) on Friday 24th January, 2014, rounded off the 5-day training workshop for mathematics teachers at La-Mems Hotel, 40 Nkemba Street in Uyo. The event organized by the NMC in collaboration with Exxon Mobil for selected mathematics teachers from public secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State began on Monday 20th January, 2014 and had fifty (50) teachers in attendance.

Performing the closing ceremony, the State Commissioner for Education, Prof. (Mrs.) Atim Antai, on behalf of the Government of Akwa Ibom State commended Exxon Mobil and the National Mathematical Centre in Abuja for partnering to institute the workshop to assist and mobilize teachers towards improved academic performance especially in the area of mathematics which she said is the key to the study of all sciences.

The Education Commissioner attributed the low level of productivity and performance by both teachers and students to indiscipline. She stated that indiscipline is the root cause of examination malpractice, cultism, certificate racketeering, other social vices and eroded moral values. She congratulated the teachers who were selected to participate in the workshop and expressed optimism that they will go back to the classrooms and find themselves able to handle the hitherto seeming difficult areas in mathematics.

Earlier in an address to the teachers, Prof. Lawal Adetula, who represented the Director and Chief Executive of the National Mathematics Centre, Abuja, Prof Adewale Solarin, admonished the teachers to know what they want to teach the student themselves by studying hard before going to the class and to demystify mathematics by making the subject interesting and bringing their example close to what the students are familiar with. He also urged them to know the peculiarities of each student and to assess the students’ academic performance accurately so as not to dampen the enthusiasm and morale of the students. He specifically advised them to mark the workings of the questions they give the students and not to mark only the answers.

Also, Mr. Akaninyene Esiere, manager Public and Government Affairs, QIT representing Mr. Enyinnaya Onokala, General Manager, Public and Government Affairs, Abuja Mobil Producing Nigeria, in an address at the occasion said that the training workshop was aimed at improving the teaching skills and competences of mathematics teachers which will in turn positively impact on students’ performance in mathematics.

Mr. Esiere said that the idea of training mathematics teachers began in 2012 with the training of 52 teachers of mathematics in Abuja and that this years’ workshop comes as a result of the positive impact of that first workshop. He said that “good mathematics teachers are in high demand because mathematics is a key subject in schools and our children deserve to be taught to the highest standards”. He hoped that the 5-day training has achieved its aims of enriching the teachers with new knowledge and trends.

In a communiqué issued by the participants of the workshop and presented by the committee chairman, Mr. Ernest F. Ndem, the teachers affirmed that the workshop has helped them by reminding them of things they had forgotten and teaching them how to handle new challenges in the new curriculum. They however, recommended that the workshop should be conducted at least twice a year for effectiveness and that it should be done during vacations for convenience. They also recommended that materials such as laptops should be provided to participants of such workshops, government should employ more mathematics teachers and that the teachers should be evenly distributed as there are some schools with only one maths teacher.

The workshop participants also promised to impart on the students what they have learnt with a view to making the students proud heroes and heroines in mathematics, stating that their mission is to make mathematics “real and interesting” to the students.

Present at the occasion were dignitaries such as the Commissioner for Education, Prof. (Mrs.) Atim Antai; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Chrisantus Asuka; Director Education Inspectorate, Elder Friday Edem; Director Admin, Dr. Jacob Etuk and others.