Phobia for Mathematics and science subjects at the basic level is an age-long issue which has been a source of serious concern in the education sector over the years.
It was gathered that both students and some teachers have phobia for Mathematics and science subjects, and this causes them to shy away from these subjects, not minding their importance in the technological advancement of the society.
ABS Education Correspondent sampled the opinions of stakeholders in the education sector on how to deal with the issue.
Speaking with the ABS, a National Trainer of Strengthening Mathematics and Science Education, SMASE, from Kaduna State, Mr Adamu Sani, explained that with the advent of SMASE, training programme aimed at discovering areas teachers and students are shying away from Mathematics and science subjects and a very simple methodology in teaching and learning these subjects have been developed.
He revealed that the training programme originated from Japan, and is designed in such a way that all the difficult concepts discovered in science and Mathematics subjects are taught in a very friendly and learners-centered manner, noting that with this effort of the federal government in collaboration with Universal Basic Education Board, UBEC, and State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, there will be definitely a change in education system of Nigeria in the nearest future.
Mr Sani said that the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board, ASUBEB, with the support of the state government is doing great in managing their classrooms with moderate number of students per class, and advised teachers to ensure they give students much attention so as to encourage them to learn Mathematics and science subjects.
The Desk Officer of SMASE in Anambra State, Mrs Mercy Ifeanyi, noted that series of trainings that teachers undergo will go a long way in changing their attitude towards these subjects, and they will in turn step down what they have learned to their students, thereby doing away with phobia for Mathematics and science subjects.
On lack of technical teachers in some schools in the state, Mrs Ifeanyi pointed out that with the ongoing recruitment of new teachers, the issue will be addressed.
A Science Teacher, Mr Chuka Olisah, said that if students are scared of learning Mathematics and science subjects, their environment will not be friendly with them, and advised those who have phobia for these subjects to see them as fun, as according to him, the subjects are about the environment.
In their separate remarks, Mr David Okeke and Mrs Helen Kalu, who are Mathematics teachers, while telling students that Mathematics is very easy and deals with numbers which they worked with everyday of their lives, encouraged them to believe in themselves and also believe in their teachers.
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