By Rauf Oyewole
An Industrial and Computational Mathematics expert, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Madu, has expressed looming threats to the career development in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) over the declining performance of students.
Mrs. Madu, a Chief Lecturer at Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, who is currently conducting research in Industrial and Computational Mathematics at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, while analysing the implications of the poor mathematics performance on key professions such as accounting, computer science, and engineering, called for urgent action.
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) had recently expressed concern over the continued poor performance in English Language and Mathematics, as reflected in the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results.
According to the examination body, approximately 28% of candidates failed to obtain credit passes in both subjects. Out of a total of 1,805,216 candidates who sat for the examination, only 1,301,941 secured credits in at least five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.
Speaking on the state of mathematics education in Nigeria, Mrs. Madu noted that conversations around poor performance in mathematics have become a recurring national concern, especially after the release of WAEC and NECO results. “I can conclude that the problem is rooted first in foundational and institutional weaknesses, and then in societal attitudes,” she said.
She cautioned against the habitual blame placed solely on mathematics teachers, urging a more holistic view that includes educational policymakers at both state and federal levels. Referencing a 2023 study conducted by academics from two major Nigerian universities, she noted that responsibility for students' poor performance lies not only with teachers but also with the Ministry of Education, parents, and the students themselves.
Madu emphasized the urgent need to revisit the foundation of mathematics education in the country. She suggested a review of the current secondary school mathematics curriculum, implemented in 2011, and called on the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) to take the lead in addressing the issue.
“All policymakers working with NERDC must brainstorm and devise long-term strategies to tackle this persistent challenge,” she urged.
On the role of teachers, Madu advocated for a system that recruits and retains the brightest minds in the teaching profession through competitive remuneration and improved working conditions.
“If teaching becomes one of the best-rewarded professions in Nigeria, we will naturally attract the best talents,” she asserted, calling on the government, along with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), to make teaching more desirable as a career.
She warned that industries dependent on a solid mathematical foundation are already feeling the impact of this educational shortfall, particularly in fields like accounting, computer science, and engineering. “The aspirations of students pursuing careers in STEM disciplines are being derailed by this recurring failure in mathematics,” she said.
Mrs. Madu further noted the critical role parents play in nurturing a love for mathematics from the home. She acknowledged the economic hardship faced by many Nigerian families but emphasized that this should not serve as an excuse. “Economic hardship is global, although more pronounced in developing countries due to self-inflicted policies. Still, the responsibility of instilling discipline and motivation in children lies heavily on parents,” she said.
She lamented a disturbing trend where many students, due to a lack of moral guidance at home, now idolize fraudsters and shun academic effort. “Parents must address this attitudinal decay. We must restore moral values at the home front,” she added, urging community and religious leaders to intensify efforts in redirecting the youth toward hard work and meaningful aspirations.
She called on Nigerian intellectuals in the diaspora to support efforts to revamp the education sector. She appealed to them to remember their alma maters and take stock of the current state of disrepair in Nigerian schools. “No meaningful learning can take place in an environment that is not conducive. It’s time to give back and rebuild,” she said.
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