Mathematics Education

Education is one of the significant and crucial factors in molding citizens who could make contributions for the betterment of a country particularly in terms of socio-economic aspects. In the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), Philippines ends up in the low 70s rank in mathematics among other countries. This implied that the current state of mathematics education in the Philippines can be regarded as not good.

Well, the goals of Philippine Mathematics Curriculum in enhancing every student's problem solving and critical thinking skills have been its strengths all throughout. Students were able to learn the five strands included in these goals such as measurement, numbers and number sense, statistics and probability, geometry, as well as patterns and algebra that are all crucial in our day-to-day living.

However, one of its weaknesses as I can see as a student, is that most of us are stuck in an alarming belief that mathematics is a very difficult subject and only intelligent ones can relate. There are only few trained and skilled teachers who can impart such complex topics in an understandable and approachable way or even clearly discuss the objectives. With these, it would be best to raise more the quality of mathematics education where every student's perspectives towards this kind of education is positive and they would love to learn despite such complexity. Producing more welcoming teachers who consider and treat every level of intelligence equally can promote critical citizenry and democracy in Philippine society where each can willingly and actively engage. We can also adapt how foreign countries address such issue.

In addition, the lack of mathematical textbooks weakens the efficiency of this kind of education here in our country. During my 11th year in high school, which is 3 years ago, we don't have any books that will support the learnings or go further what our teachers have taught us and we're only given PDF copies to do so. That was difficult for me back then since I don't have any mobile phone and I am more comfortable of books. I've been only borrowing my brother's, which was so limited given that he had a lot of his schoolwork business there too. I believe that having one can help every student's knowledge improve more.

What role may mathematics and mathematics education play in fostering diversity and justice in society?

Despite everyone's differences in every aspect, equality must prevail as it should always be. The diverse beliefs and perspectives of humanity are one of the reasons why the world we are living that is corrupted with discriminations still continues. With this, mathematics education is a salient factor that can empower equity and diversity in the society. It may be complex indeed, but it can absolutely provide efficient frameworks to uplift the differences we are embracing which can be greater and extraordinary when mathematical analysis is applied.

Nowadays, the importance of mathematics is evident by helping us understand the world where logic of shapes, arrangements, patterns, and quantity are being dealt with, and relationships are being quantified. Even the future such as phenomenological happenings is predictable. Being literate on how these work can help and give us opportunity to view the world we are born with in a more different and better perspective or even understand other people who are also different from us. As we learn new concepts and skills in mathematics, we are able to re-learn and scrutinized the cultural practices, important values, and community perspective throughout reinforcement. Moreover, learned mathematical concepts can also help realize and understand the need for accuracy and the use of formula in mathematics and real-life situations in our own environment.

Discussed in the article entitled Ethnomathematics and Culturally Relevant Mathematics Education in the Philippines, mathematics' lessons convey more. Fractions for example don't just tackle about dividing a whole but also teach the students of teacher Alma the value of upholding justice and fairness in order to maintain Mangyan unity, as advised by their elders. Being united is a valuable lesson for everyone to make our own cultures and traditions to stay alive no matter how many changes will devour us. Thus, mathematics education is crucial and must be given without exclusions. Everyone deserves to be respected and uplifted.

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Note: I'm really sorry for my absence in your articles guys though I've somehow read and commented quite a few 'cause something personal's keeping me busy lately. I hope you'll understand. Thanks.

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