As alumni marks family picnic

By Dayo Adesulu & Bose Adelaja

A PROFESSOR of Mathematics with Tai Solarin University of Education, Ogun State, Abayomi Arigbabu, has advocated for a five years training programme for teachers in place of the existing four years in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

This according to him will save the nation from mass failure in Mathematics.

Arigbabu who is presently on sabbatical leave with the department of Science and Technology University of Lagos, spoke with Vanguard Learning last Sunday shortly after his alma mata, Ijebu-Ode Grammar School Old Boys Association JOGS 74/79 set, held their annual family picnic at the Fun Factory, Ikorodu.

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Out of the five years programme, he proffered that the first four years be spent studying the content while the remaining one year should be spent on the pedagogy of teaching.

The professor who also doubles as the National Vice President of the national body also gave factors for mass failure in Mathematics which includes teachers, parents, environment, students and government, saying that Mathematics is unconsciously a routine in every home, even at market places. ‘

’Teachers, students, government, environment and parents should be blamed. The teachers should realize that all students are not on the same level and all they need do is to be patient and systematic in introducing the content. We come across Mathematics in our daily life, for instance, when you board a cab for N120 and you pay with N500 emblock, you have a balance of N380, this is Mathematics. Also, if you give a cloth to a tailor, he needs to apply Mathematics before sewing it. The same thing applies to house wives, traders, journalists, medical doctors, engineers and other professionals who are usually logical in their fields,” he siad.

In terms of professionalism in schools, the professor advised teachers to be well grounded, ‘’ The teacher should be well grounded especially Mathematics. Those who studied pure Mathematics should get the pedagogue and those who are not should go for two years full time training rather than attending crash programmes. Finally, the government should not pay lip service to education,”

Earlier in his welcome address, the president of JOGS 74/79 set Mr Dimeji Ogunniyi, urged Nigerians to pray for the release of over 200 students of Government Secondary School Chibok, who were held captive for the past months.

Dimeji said the annual family picnic was the 15th edition to afford members of the families an opportunity to mingle together.

In line with the programme, the executive members led by the pioneer president and a senior medical consultant with Ikorodu General Hospital Dr Demola Olowu, paid a visit to Great Faith Orphanage Ogijo, Ikorodu where they donated food items and toiletries