Maths

Role

The Role Of Mathematics in the School Curriculum

One of the main aims of education is to prepare pupils for the future demands of adult life, employment, further study and training. Such an aim implies that all pupils should be encouraged to tackle problems as they appear in the real world.

Mathematical activity in schools is judged worthwhile in that it has clear practical usefulness in, out of and after school. It may be simply be seen to be useful in terms of the arithmetical skills needed for use at home and in every day life or for the mathematical knowledge and understanding required for science, technology and many other fields. The logical approach required in mathematical problem solving can also be applied to other problems.

As a powerful means of communication mathematics conveys information in a precise and concentrated way through the use of figures, letters, symbols, tables, graphs and drawings. Mathematics is also valuable in that it enables the outcomes of future events to be predicted. Mathematical activity in school encourages the pupils to communicate by choosing an appropriate form of communicating results or, whilst working collaboratively with other pupils in tackling problems. Decision making and working towards a common goal will also develop desirable social and personal qualities in the pupils.

The more a pupil gains confidence in the subject the more interest and enjoyment in learning Mathematics will result. Mathematics is also taught therefore so that it can be appreciated in its own right.

Mathematics then, as a subject in the school curriculum, can be seen to have a role to play, which is three fold. It has practical usefulness, it promotes communication and has intrinsic value.