WORLD Maths Day is celebrated today.
Coming back to South Africa, is it worth celebrating Maths Day considering that we fare poorly against other countries?
According to International Mathematics and Science Study, the results show that South Africa’s performance is far from competitive in relation to other States.
This is exacerbated by the fact some of our young learners can hardly write or spell- a very important matter that needs urgent attention.
Mathematics as a subject is crucial to cognitive development in young minds, according to Takudzwa Mupfurutsa, Business Executive Officer: Dairy at Nestlé East and Southern Africa Region (ESAR).
“Cognitive development during school age is critical for a child’s ability to understand and apply mathematical concepts. Teachers can support this development by providing opportunities for children to engage in hands-on problem-solving activities Caregivers’ role is to provide good nutrition that bolsters optimal brain development which in turn drives cognitive development,” says Mupfurutsa.
Questions have been put on how effective and analytical are teachers when coming to Maths, a subject matter that still remains unanswered?
The study suggests that a shortage of competent and confident qualified mathematics teachers is a key contributing factor to the low maths performance of South African school children.
As we celebrate World Maths Day, how do we solve this equation in mzansi?
Mupfurutsa believes, from an early age, children begin to develop an understanding of basic mathematical concepts, such as numbers, shapes, and patterns.
“Through play, exploration, and interaction with their environment, they identify, count, and manipulate objects, and begin to develop a sense of quantity and measurement. These are the bedrock for what will later become things like probability, game theory in real life, and theoretically, algebra, geometry, and calculus, and other concepts which require high levels of cognitive skills.”
Continued Mupfurutsa, “high protein diets with various micronutrients make for food that helps with brain health – which has a direct bearing to cognitive development.
Milk, for example, is an excellent source of protein, calcium, iron, zinc, and vitamin B, which are all important nutrients for brain health. Protein is necessary for the growth and repair of brain tissue, while calcium, vitamin D and vitamin B12 are essential in the neuronal system, that is connecting our brains to the rest of our bodies through the nervous system. Milk however needs to be fortified to deliver on various micronutrients. Therefore, fortified milks, such as Nestlé NESPRAY, step in with iron, more protein, and a range of other vitamins, amongst others”.
Whether it’s making decisions in business, fashion, science, or simply, what to cook, mathematical concepts such as addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, to mention a few, can help us make better and more informed choices, says Mupfurutsa.
To address this problem, we need young, confident and competent maths teachers, graduates who have passed the Post Graduate Certificate in Education, who need further development and support.
If this isn’t provided, South Africa is unlikely to see an improvement in the performance of its school children.
