FUTA VC tasks maths teachers on building students' confidence | EduCeleb
EduCeleb
26th August 2021
The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Professor Joseph Fuwape has called on Mathematics teachers to build the confidence of their students in the acclaimed dreadful subject.
Fuwape made the call at the launching of a book written by Mr Ajewole Sunday, a teacher at FUTA Staff Secondary School, entitled: “Foundation Mathematics.”
Fuwape, who was represented by the varsity’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Deji Ogunsemi, said: “Against the background of the observed fright and unwillingness of students to take mathematics as a subject, which has also led to a significant drop in the performance of students in Mathematics, there’s a very urgent need to develop the capabilities and build the confidence of students.
“The burden of this task falls on the teachers. I hope that this noble effort will be sustained by Mr Ajewole and others as well, given the importance of the education sector to the growth of our nation, Nigeria.”
He commended the author for his vision and the efforts put into documenting his expertise in what’s normally perceived by students as a complex subject.
The Chairman, Parents Teachers Association of the staff school, Deacon Sam Aroge, called on teachers to teach Mathematics in simple language. He said it should be simplified in such a way that students will understand and make them show interest in the subject.
Speaking with newsmen after the launching, the author, Mr Ajewole, disclosed that he discovered during international Olympiad Mathematics competitions that there was a wide gap between the curricula of other nations and Nigeria’s.
He said: “I have been training and leading our students to international Olympiad Mathematics competitions and in the process, I discovered there was a wide gap between our curriculum and that of these countries we compete with.
“This prompted me to put together this book in which I simplified the subject for our students to understand and even love the subject. It contains further Mathematics and good for students preparing for unified examinations including UTME and has been assessed and approved for use by the Ondo State Ministry of Education.”
Ajewole revealed that the 712 pages, 25 chapters book cost him over N3million to produce.
Present at the luncheon was the Principal of the staff school, Mrs Adamolekun, Hon. Bode Ajewole, uncle to the author, Registrar of FUTA and Chairman, National Mathematics Association of Nigeria, Mr Oluseye Ojo, who was the reviewer of the book, Mr Priceless Raymond, who represented the chief launcher among others.