MAG conference opens

Takoradi, Aug. 27, GNA- Mr Joseph Aidoo, Western Regional Minister has said that mathematics is the centre around which all developments and communications evolve.

He said without it, meteorologists, farmers, scientists, bankers, private and public sector institutions cannot function effectively. This was contained in a speech read for him at the 29th National Annual Conference and Workshop of the Mathematics Association of Ghana (MAG). It has the theme: "Mathematics in the Information, Communication and technology age - The real issues".

Mr Aidoo called on mathematics teachers to generate interest in the subject at the lower levels of education and sustain the country's Information Communication and Technology (ICT) drive. He lauded some senior secondary schools and universities, which have established computer science departments, to inculcate in students ICT to enable them to meet the challenges of 0job markets.

Mr Aidoo said an ICT Centre of Excellence being funded by Ghana and Indian Governments, was meant to assist in the development of the curriculum for schools in Computer studies.

He appealed to teachers to make the subject "interesting, appealing and more students friendly", with special provision for girls, who frequently refuse to pursue Mathematics at the higher level. Mr Ahmad Daramanu, Western Regional Director of Education said the educational system must include programmes that are designed to equip future generations with knowledge and skills to enable them to live and compete in the present technological era.

He said the development of computer hardware demands the knowledge and use of mathematics to maintain and sustain it, and urged all teachers to be computer literate.

Mr Daramanu appealed to teachers to change their methodology, and be conversant with ICT techniques.

Mr Philip Nkrumah, Shama Ahanta East Metropolitan Chief Executive, expressed regret that many students continue to fail in Mathematics at various levels of the educational system and called on mathematics teachers, to find alternative strategies to the problem. Three books - Senior Secondary Guide, Senior Secondary School Mathematics and Primary School Mathematics - written by members of MAG and published by SEDCO were launched at the ceremony.