Parents

Mathematics Should be TaughT as MATHEMATICS

BAMIDELE, KAYODE · 16 September 2026

We do not always know where Mathematics will take us. That is precisely why Mathematics should remain a fundamental part of every student’s education and, in my view, a mandatory criterion for admission into every programme of study.

Mathematics is not only about numbers, formulas, or solving equations. It trains the mind to reason logically, recognise patterns, analyse problems, work with evidence, make informed decisions, and understand relationships between ideas.

A student may eventually study Medicine, Law, Business, Engineering, Agriculture, Computer Science, Economics, the Arts, or any other discipline. The applications of Mathematics may look different in each field, but the mathematical thinking developed along the way remains valuable. This does not mean Mathematics should be taught as a barrier designed to eliminate students from certain programmes.

Quite the opposite. Let Mathematics teachers teach Mathematics as Mathematics; but teach it with curiosity, clarity, creativity, and fun.

We must ensure that young minds do not develop an aversion to Mathematics because of how it is taught. Give students the mathematical foundation first. Help them understand why things work, not merely how to obtain an answer.

The applications will come later. And when they do, students should be able to apply Mathematics with a deep understanding of its principles, assumptions, and limitations.

We should therefore be careful about calls to lower Mathematics requirements simply because a programme does not appear to use Mathematics directly.

The better conversation is: How do we teach Mathematics better? How do we help students develop mathematical reasoning? How do we make the subject more engaging and relevant without reducing its intellectual depth? How do we equip teachers to help students understand rather than memorise?

Because we cannot always predict what knowledge a person will need tomorrow. The Mathematics a student learns today may become the foundation for an innovation that does not yet exist.

Teach Mathematics well today. The world may discover its applications tomorrow. Join Neslern today!!!

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