Boosting the Social Value of Mathematics Education: The way forward

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume IX, Issue V, May 2022 | ISSN 2321–2705

Boosting the Social Value of Mathematics Education: The way forward

Abraham Gyamfi
Wesley College of Education, Kumasi, Ghana, Department of Education

Abstract: Mathematics is a critical subject at the pre-tertiary level. Knowledge in mathematics is believed to be a key to solving societal problems. Many believe that the impact of mathematics is not felt in the society because there has not been much application of acquired knowledge in mathematics in solving societal problems. This paper seeks to throw more light on how to make education useful to society. Importance of mathematics education and the real problem of mathematics in respective to mathematics education as well as the way forward with mathematics education were highlighted.
Keywords: mathematics, performance-based assessment, Education, teaching and learning
I. INTRODUCTION
One of the progressive educational programmes that has been adopted and is being pursued in the country in recent times is “functional numeracy”; that is, the ability to count and use number effectively (Ministry of Education [MOE], 2002). All aspects of life base on effective knowledge of mathematics and science as absent mathematics and science knowledge limits development in general. So, a country concerned about her development puts much emphasis mathematical studies (Forman, 2003).
Importance of mathematics Education
Mathematics is seen by society as the foundation of scientific and technological knowledge vital in socio-economic development of the nation (Anamuah-Mensah et al., 2005) and its usage permeates almost every field of study including physics, chemistry, geology, engineering and medicine (Roman, 2004). Because of this, Mathematics has remained a compulsory subject at pre-tertiary level in many countries and used as a basic entry requirement into any of the prestigious courses at the tertiary level (Anamuah-Mensah et al., 2005). Kitta (2004) defined mathematics as the language helping to describe ideas and relationships drawn from the environment. Mathematics make the invisible to be visible, thereby solving problems which are impossible otherwise. It is in realization of the vast applications of mathematics that made Eraikhuemen (2003) to posit that a disciplined and ordered pattern of life can only be achieved through the culture of mathematics.
Mathematics help to understand the world around us and at a psychological level, helps in developing an analytic mind to assists in better organization of ideas and accurate expression of thoughts (Adler, 2018). According to Michael (2015), Mathematics makes all invisible to be visible, thereby

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