Participants at the capacity building workshop for mathematics teachers in Abuja sponsored by Rep.olubukola Oyewo of Osun

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

A member of Frederal House of Representative, Rep. Olubukola Oyewo has facilitated a capacity building workshop for mathematics teachers in his constituency to enhance the teaching and learning of mathematics.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview at the five days workshop in Abuja Oyewo, member representing Irepodun/Olorunda/Orolu/ Osogbo Federal Constituency, Osun said the training was borne out of his passion for mathematics.

“I am facilitating the ongoing capacity building workshop for mathematics teachers in my constituency because of my passion for mathematics.

“The abysmal performance of students in mathematics from my constituency also prompted this training programme,” he said.

He, however, said that paucity of fund prevented many mathematics teachers from the constituency from participating, hence the few participants.

“It is however unfortunate that paucity of fund is a limitation to the number of participants proposed to be trained.”

He, therefore, said that the few participants would hopefully make up for the training by being trainners to other mathematics teachers in the constituency.

Dr Olatunji Jekayinfa, a Research Fellow, National Mathematical Centre (NMC) said the teachers were trained on the effective methods of teaching mathematics for quality learning among the students.

He said after the programme, the teachers would acquire effective methods of teaching mathematics and impact same on the students to enable them perform better in examinations.

“One of the major mandates of National Mathematical Centre is to organise trainings that culminate in quality and effective teaching and learning of mathematics.

“So what we are here for is to make sure that the teaching and learning of mathematics is simplified; thereby endearing the subject to the students.

“Because there are many problems associated with mathematics ranging from students poor perception of the subject as hard and difficult to teachers adoption of poor teaching methodology.”

He said that a training like this could not have come at a better time than this.

Jekayinfa, while commending Oyewo for the programme, urged other spirited Nigerians to contribute their quota towards retraining of teachers for efficiency and effectiveness in teaching and learning in schools.

Mr Jare Tiamiyu, a Mathematics Teacher at Al Bin Islamic College, Irepodun Local Government Area, Osun said with the training, he had learnt how to combine learning and play to keep the students’ attention.

“There are some things both teachers and students consider as mystery; mathematics is believed to be hard because of all these mysteries.

“This training we are having will really help us on how to combine learning and play, students will learn more when the teaching is more of fun, something that will keep their attention and boost their interest.

He said this new approach of teaching would go a long way in changing the poor perception about mathematics.

Mr Michael Leshi, another Mathematics Teacher at Divine Favour Model School, Olorunda Local Government Area, while appreciating the facilitator of the training said that quality training of this nature was not easy to come by.

Leshi noted that the Rep. member had been helpful in the areas of education and infrastructure development within the constituency.

“Facilitating this capacity building workshop for mathematics teachers will go a long way in helping both the teachers and students towards effective performance,”