President of the Ghana Mathematics Society, Professor Sitsofe Enyonam Anku, has chided students who fail Mathematics in examinations.
According to him, it is not acceptable for students to fail in Mathematics since the subject is not as complicated as perceived by many students.
Prof. Anku made these comments at the 2018 National Mathematics Day, organized at the Regent University College on Wednesday, February 14, 2018.
He argued that, “Everything we do entails Mathematics and everybody can do Mathematics. So we don’t accept the situation where you find 90,000 students getting straight Fs. Not acceptable. Why? Where are those students who failed? We are truncating their academic lives because of failures in Mathematics. But they should not be failing Mathematics.”
While criticizing people who have developed phobia for Mathematics, Prof Anku said excelling in Mathematics is a guarantee that one will excel in other subjects.
“Mathematics is simple, enjoyable. Fun. People are having phobia for Mathematics. Why?? When your Mathematics is good, everything else is good. Try me and make sure your Mathematics is good and see, you will excel in all other subjects. But the Mathematics, we make it look like it is a monster dropping out of space,” he stated.
Speaking on the theme ‘The Use of Mathematics for National Education and Development’, Prof. Anku said Mathematics is relevant in road construction, irrigation, baking, flood prevention, as well as in hospitals.
He explained that since Mathematics has to do with figures and precisions, workers in the said professions must apply Mathematics to ensure success in such careers.
He also suggested that road constructors undergo Mathematics classes in order to improve the nature of roads in the country, since such road constructors do not apply Mathematics in their works.
