15 May 2014

Minister of Education and Skills Development (MoESD), Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi says mathematics and science subjects are vital to development and progression of Botswana.

Minister Venson-Moitoi said the official opening of Mathematical Association of Botswana (MAB) annual general conference theme: ‘Embracing Innovation Responses to Challenges in Mathematics Instruction’ in Gaborone on May 14.

She said mathematics is the fundamental of learning in all aspects of life, adding that it is the foundation of all learning, reasoning, order and sequence.

Dr Venson-Moitoi urged all stakeholders and teachers involved identifying talent at a younger age and that they should not bend students into education that is not suitable for their talents, also to enable them to grow and blossom.

The chairperson of MBA, Mr Mathews Masole said the mandate of the workshop is to see the culmination of a collective effort from MBA executive committee, MoESD, Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, and mathematics teachers being mindful of the fact that the nation need solutions to declining performances of students in mathematics and science.

He said they need to establish whether their school leavers have acquired enough mathematics to enable them to solve their everyday problems and reflect into the teaching and learning of mathematics in the country.

He added that MAB has taken deliberate decision to contribute significantly to the development of mathematics and science education in Botswana.

He said the association has continued to avail its services in developing the curriculum for primary, junior and secondary schools through the department of Curriculum Development and Evaluation.

Mr Keorapetse Modise, a mathematics teacher at Good Hope senior secondary school, who also won the Best Mathematics Teacher Central Region 2013 for both additional and general mathematics presented on the topic; ‘Improving performance in Botswana mathematics schools’.

He urged teachers to be passionate about what they do, create a safe learning environment for students and help mitigate mathematics anxiety to make students passionate and love learning mathematics.

When unveiling the launch, Dr Raphael Dingalo, Vice President of Academic Management at Limkokwing University which is the patron of the MAB, said the symbols in the brand identifies itself with mathematicians as it has the division sign, the colors being black, white and blue, the same as the national flag.

He mentioned that as Limkokwing University, they have gone an extra mile to design business cards and letter heads for the association, because when one talks about creativity and innovation they mean Limkokwing. ENDS