Investment in Mathematical Science Education essential for development - Prof Yankah

The Minister of Education in charge Tertiary, Professor Kwesi Yankah says it is time for Ghana to invest in the development of mathematical sciences to support the nation's drive towards technological advancement.

He said the ministry was working to review numeracy and science and technology curricula to one that will build up human resource capable of transforming the fortunes of the country and compete favourably on the global technological arena.

Prof Yankah was speaking at the 6th graduation of the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) at Biriwa in the Central region last Saturday.

A total of 37 students, 26 males and 11 females from Ghana, Rwanda, Madagascar, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Cameroon, Benin and Togo graduated with Master of Science degrees in Mathematical Sciences.

He said mathematical sciences hold the key to many comforts and conveniences in the world today, saying it is essential to many developments in finance, health and food production.

Review Entry Requirements

Prof Yankah called on the National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE) to consider reviewing the requirement of a credit in Mathematics into tertiary institutions for certain category of students.

He noted that the insistence for a credit pass in Mathematics was particularly preventing many brilliant students from further pursuing their studies.

He said if there was not the need for mathematics directly in the courses a D7 or D8 in mathematics should be acceptable grades.

A section of the students

Prof Yankah noted that while mathematics remained a crucial subject and a basis for many other subjects and courses some courses in the teritary institutions did not really need a credit to pursue them.

He commended AIMS for striving for excellence in the training of mathematical sciences biased students saying such human resource were the continents hope of catching up in the technological race across the globe.

Mathematics Performance

Touching on students’ performance in mathematics in the West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE), Prof Yankah said the failure path had been phenomenal with average performance being 27.6 percent between 2006 and 2009.

He said the performance in mathematics and integrated science left much to be worked on and appealed to the graduates to sacrifice to help teach students who are struggling with the study of mathematics.

Solve Africa’s Problems

The Canadian High Commissioner, Ms Heather Cameron in her address said mathematical sciences studies were critical for the 21st century for marketing economy, transformational development, artificial intelligence and other emerging fields.

She said she was optimistic that the study of mathematical sciences would help develop solutions to Africa’s development challenges.

The Board Chairman of AIMS, Prof Edward Ayensu said AIMS Ghana had been upgraded to a United Nation’s Education Scientific and Cultural Organization Centre of Excellence Category II status.

He commended the class of 2018 for their tenacity of purpose and hard work and advised them to continue to rise contribute meaningfully to the Africa’s growth and development continents.