International Day of Mathematics: Prof. Owusu Mireku advocates for teaching mental mathematics

The Dean of the Faculty of Science Education in the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), Professor Damien Owusu Mireku, has called for a change in the teaching of mathematics, emphasizing that there should be the implementation of basic mental math.

According to him, this will encourage students to appreciate mathematics better, as it will enhance their retention and comprehension of the subject

He said this during his presentation at the International Math Day Celebration held in the University of Education Winneba on March 14.

Prof. Owusu Mireku believes that the fear of mathematics in students is a result of the imbalance teaching of the subject, noting that in the country, more theory is taught than practical.

“As for the fear of mathematics, one of the major things is because of this: most of the things are practical but the teachers don’t actually take the students through practical activities so that they will get the concept.”

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Citing the market women in the country, Prof. Owusu Mireku explained that they have a special way of easily detecting the amount of money to balance a customer, while students who study mathematics face difficulties in calculating their balances easily. He stated that if some of these strategies can be implemented in the teaching of mathematics, it will be very efficient.

“Market women, as my colleague said, are able to give change very fast, but you, the one who is the math teacher, will start working out how much you are going to get from the money you have given to the woman. They have their own strategies they use. We need to find out some of these mental strategies so that our children can recall their math very quickly.”

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He believes that if students are not able to recall mathematics easily, that is when they shy away from the subject, and so teachers should focus on practically teaching students how to recall the subject for a better appreciation.