By Ikenna Obianeri
The Nana Institute for Mathematics and Science has begun the presentation of learning materials and cash gifts to secondary schools across Anambra State.
The institute said it is targeting to improve mathematics learning across public and missionary schools in the state because it observed that many pupils have a phobia for the subject, adding that the gesture is to prepare them for the digital revolution taking place across the globe through mathematics, science and technology.
Speaking during the presentation which kick-started at the Queen of the Rosary College, Onitsha, on Thursday, the Manager, Nana Institute for Mathematics and Science, Mr Nworah Nezianya, highlighted the importance of mathematics to science and technology and the need to encourage the pupils to embrace the subject.
Nezianya, who represented the founder, Prof. Balogun Chike-Obi, said the gesture will motivate the pupils to perform better in mathematics and become great talents in science and technology on the global stage.
He said, “Mathematics is the bedrock of science and technology and because the global dynamics are changing through science and technology, the institute decided to embark upon this exercise of providing learning materials and cash to secondary schools in Anambra to encourage students to embrace mathematics with passion.
“The cash is to enable the schools to buy the needed materials to aid mathematics learning and also reward students who are performing well in the subject. We believe this will remove the phobia students have for the subject. All the students in Anambra, both those who have been scoring A1 in the subjects, are also included.
“We are targeting as many students as possible, both public and missionary schools and we have started from the Queen of the Rosary College, Onitsha, where about 192 students have benefitted and we are moving around, it is going to be a continuous exercise.
“The Institute is going to encourage the students to do more in mathematics. We are satisfied with their performance and we are doing this to see if we can still produce another Mathematician in the mood of Prof. Chike Obi again.”
Speaking while receiving the materials and cash, the Principal, Queen of the Rosary College, Onitsha, Rev. Sister Maria Chijioke-Nwankwo, thanked the institute and promised to ensure the items were put to good use to enhance the learning abilities of the students.
“We are so happy and excited that the Institute is doing this to encourage the students and also the teachers in the area of science and technology, particularly mathematics. We are all aware of the phobia students face in Mathematics, especially the girl-child.
“Whenever they hear about Mathematics, it sends jitters and fears to them, but we thank God for raising this Institute, which has started helping the students. As the world is moving in science and technology, mathematics is very important.
“In this school, 221 out of 303 students got A1 in Mathematics in the SSCE exams and gestures like this are things we need to continue to encourage the students to excel in the subject,” she added.
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