Prof Sitsofe E. Anku, President of Ghana Mathematics Society, has called on students to take the study of mathematics serious to ensure efficiency in their daily activities.
"Studying mathematics is not only geared towards examination and neglecting the basic understanding of its concept which constitutes the
foundation to make mathematics easy for students. Students must have positive attitudes and be creative in studying mathematics to have the
appropriate disposition of the concept in solving practical problems," he said.
Prof Anku made the call at the opening session of the National Mathematics Camp 2010 in Accra under the theme: "Understanding and
Appreciating Mathematics."
The camp was organised by Meagasa Mathematics Academy in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.
Participants at the camp are five students and a teacher from each region for primary 4-6, Junior High Schools (JHS) and Senior High Schools
(SHS).
Prof Anku said the participants would study conceptual development of mathematics which deals with effective learning and understanding of
perimeters, ratio and percentages, practical mathematics and problem solving in mathematics with the quest to make mathematics easy for students.
Mr Alex Tettey-Enyo, the Minister of Education, in a speech read on his behalf said the government would provide relevant education with emphasis on science, information, communication and technology to equip individuals for self-actualisation, peaceful co-existence as well as skills for national development.
He said the Ministry in August last year offered more than 42,000 scholarships to needy but brilliant students to study science and
mathematics.
They include students in tertiary institutions, SHS and technical and
vocational institutions.
Mr Tettey-Enyo said the scholarships were under the Mathematics, Science and Technology Scholarship Scheme (MASTESS) as part of efforts to
propel the country towards socio-economic advancement.
He said it was government's intention to create favourable environment to enable the impact of science education be felt by the average Ghanaian.
"Micro-science would soon be introduced at basic schools to ensure that good and sound foundation is built. Basic schools would be equipped with mini laboratories and micro science equipments to stimulate interest and develop the cognitive, affective and psychomotor skills to win greater science students enrolment and ensure that learners are capable of pursuing science at the higher level," he said.
Mr Tettey-Enyo said the government had mobilised resources to provide incentives for teaching and learning of science and with the assistance of African Development Bank (AfDB), 4,000 SHS were undergoing in-service training to be skilful in using innovative approaches for teaching and learning.