According to the Oxford dictionary, mathematics is the abstract science of number, quantity and space. It deals with logic and arrangement. Indeed, it is a part of our everyday life. As humans, every single thing we do involves mathematics; the steps we take, our decision-making process, and even the planning of our daily affairs. So, if mathematics is so much a part of our everyday life, why then do students and many adults hate Mathematics?
There are several reasons why students fail mathematics. They range from laziness of the students themselves to the poor educational foundation to false misconceptions. Mathematics is regarded as difficult because people refuse to familiarise themselves with its intricacies and sophistication.
In a country like Nigeria, where the official language is English, people have learnt to familiarize themselves with it. English is regarded as a simpler subject because it is often used as a way to communicate. It can even be learnt via conversations, movies and songs. Why can’t the same be done with mathematics?
Reasons students hate mathematics.
- A faulty foundation.
The weak foundation on which most students began their educational background is the reason behind their challenges with maths.
Most students are left to begin their secondary education without having known the rudiments of maths. This goes on to affect their performance all through their time in school when the problem is not swiftly handled. How do you expect a pupil to attempt complicated math’s problems when he lacks knowledge in basic quantitative reasoning?
- The wrong attitude of parents and what others are saying.
Too often than not, many parents subconsciously relay their fear and anxiety of maths upon their children. They do this, thinking it would bring about a sort of awareness to their children. However, all this does is instil the fear of mathematics upon the children. Parents should learn not to extend their fear of the subject to their children.
Other times, our hatred of maths stems from psychological factors. It is no surprise that some students begin to have a headache whenever it’s time for maths lessons. Their mind has been wired to think Mathematics is boring and hard. Some students even blame their failure in maths on their parent’s poor knowledge of the subject.
- The wrong teacher
Many students are unlucky to have the wrong teacher tutor them in maths. In some situations, not only are the teachers inexperienced, but they also lack the right attitude to teaching. Imagine having to get tutored by a passionless teacher, who does not care about the comprehension of his student.
It is important to note that, a maths teacher who does not understand maths himself will struggle with teaching the subject. You cannot give what you don’t have! This will ultimately have an impact on the performance of the student and his attitude to the subject.
- The laziness of students.
Of course! Mathematics is technical so much so that it requires commitment. It requires constant practising; the more you practice, the more you understand. Unfortunately, this is not something a lazy student likes to hear. As a student, you must be ready to put in the work.
What are the Solutions?
- Good foundation: Building a solid foundation in the early years of a child’s life will not only help the child but give them the ability to reach their full potential. This is why every parent must make it a point of duty to not ignore the earliest years of a child’s education.
- Private Lesson teacher: The learning capacity of every child varies. Some children need a bit of extra attention to take them to the next level. Gone are the days when it was believed that only the “olodos” needed private tutoring. Now, even the best of the best have private tutors that help them excel in their academics. The truth is, as a parent, you probably do not have the dedicated time to tutor your children. It is therefore worthy of note that private tutors are there to make your life and that of your child “run smoothly”.
- Encouragement from parents and teachers: Parents need to encourage their children, teachers need to encourage their students. Rome wasn’t built in a day, neither can lifelong knowledge be acquired in a day.
- The right attitude to learning: Students need to adopt the right attitude to learning. The right attitude goes a long way in helping one achieve even the impossible.
- The professionalism of teachers: A teacher should be approachable and patient. Do not assume what the students ought to know. Take your time to assess the strength of your student. Accommodate questions during lessons and teach with the understanding that there are varying learning capabilities in each class.
- Provide the right incentives for teachers: Providing teachers and tutors with the right incentives can not be over-emphasised. A hungry teacher can not give his best. A tutor that hasn’t been paid for months can not give the best because they lack the right motivation. Teachers should also be provided with the right materials and resources that would make learning run smoothly.
In conclusion, parents, tutors, students and all-around educators have a role to play in challenging the fallacies and misconceptions relating to Mathematics. These efforts have to be made consciously to ensure that a positive mental picture is projected. If solutions are not put in place, one thing is certain, the hatred of mathematics by students might not end anytime soon. Finally, there needs to be an end to the overemphasis on making at least a credit in maths and more on understanding mathematical function and essences.
