International day of Mathematics, will our new Lower Mathematics Curriculum Deliver?

OPINION

On 26th November 2019, the 40th General conference of UNESCO through the International Mathematics Union (IMU) approved and proclaimed March 14th  as the International Day of Mathematics (IDM).

This day was already known as Pi (π) Day. Founded in 1988 at the Exploratorium, has become an international holiday, celebrated live and online all around the world. The numbers in the date (3/14) match the first three digits of the mathematical constant pi (π).

The Theme for this year's celebration is, "Mathematics is everywhere" and this presents quite a number of questions to reflect on in regards to our new lower mathematics curriculum.

How much mathematics content is spread across the entire curriculum? Does the content address the 21st century skills required in the world of work. How about the teachers, even those teaching Agriculture. Are they aware that this subject exist everywhere and in everything, so in their subject? 

A curriculum is a living document and it's expected to give perspective to its implementers if it want to change society.  Once, Nelson Mandela said, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." A well-structured mathematics curriculum has the ability not only to change society, but also the behavior among those it's designed for.

World over, mathematics is seen everywhere,  in Science and Technology; it was used to create the first photo of a black hole, in Organization of Civilization; it helps in understanding and controlling the spread of epidemics such as COVID-19, in meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals; mathematics education empowers girls and women to a better future while numeracy and scientific literacy can help every citizen to better understand the planetary challenges as well as global changes and their consequences to biodiversity.

Nearly everyone uses some mathematics concepts, an Artists, a Musician, a builder, a farmer, shopkeeper, an athlete, a craftsperson even a person planning to run for a political office next year is now busy working out an algorithm that will help them win the election.

According to Prof. Christiane Rousseau, University of Montreal and Initiator of the IDM project "Mathematics has been an area of study throughout human history. Today, mathematics has developed into a tool so sophisticated that most people do not even notice its omnipresence in our lives.

This, therefore, has left learners with no examples on where else apart from the natural sciences mathematics can be applied yet it's a fact, mathematics is everywhere and in everything around them.  Teacher trainers too, do less in motivating and inspiring the would-be math- teachers.

Countries like China, India and Japan have used their excellent mathematics models across society to better their citizens and thus their economy. Uganda, is an Agricultural based economy, we need to use our educational system to better this field and mathematics forms an essential part of this education.  

Well, as we celebrate the International Day of Mathematics, we want learners to reflect more on the essence of mathematics in their lives, and relate it to their environment.

For re-instance, while writing this, just like a lot of people, I am quite consumed by the media frenzy on the current coronavirus outbreak which, the WHO have said can be referred to as a pandemic. Second to the appropriate precautions and reactions is the likelihood that this will result in some material being used as a mathematical activity in class? What do you think?  

Happy International Mathematics Day and please, if you like, on March 14th share with your child the mathematics involved in the work you do and you will thank me later.