"THERE are different arguments about poor examination results in Mathematics. Some people say pupils and students fail because of unqualified teachers." according to Tanzania Daily News (Dar es Salaam).
Others say the subject itself is very difficult, with complications in principles and calculations. However, we can't deny the fact that Mathematics is a catalyst in every science combination.
It is a key subject to science courses and this has been proven to be so, thanks to the Nokia Mobile- Mathematics, a programme which was launched recently at the Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) in Dar es Salaam. The programme is an innovative service that offers assistance in learning and teaching mathematics.
It comprised secondary school mathematics curriculum with more than 9,000 exercises, examples and theory notes. It also includes competitions and self assessment tests.
The programme which is facilitated by Nokia, Microsoft and Tigo has been launched after being successful introduced in South Africa.
The programme proposes an understanding of mathematics to teachers and students and offers equal learning access in schools. According to Nokia Mobile Mathematics project Consultant, Ms Riitta Vanska, the project will start with 10 schools based in Dar es Salaam.
The Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE) together with Ministry of Education will select the schools. The Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE) is working on localising the content. Ms Riitta Vanska says the programme was first introduced in South Africa in 2008 and has reached more than 60,000 learners in that country.
Though environment for learning mathematics in Tanzania and South Africa can not be the same, to some extent this programme can be very useful as most of Tanzanian students prefer mobile phone applications.
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Source: AllAfrica.com