Math teachers add it up at the coast

A SPECIAL congress for mathematics teachers, from primary to tertiary level, is underway at Swakopmund to reflect on ways to improve teaching of the subject.

The mathematics congress, the first of its kind in Namibia, is being hosted by the Namibia Mathematics and Science Teachers Association (Namsta). The event was officially opened on Monday at the Namib High School by Deputy Minister of Education, Becky Ndjoze-Ojo.The organiser of the congress, Magret Courtney-Clarke, said mathematics remained one of the most challenging subjects for teachers to teach and pupils to master.She said the congress was a continuation of the national capacity-building workshop conducted by the Ministry during last year’s Science and Technology Awareness Week.Sessions are presented by Namibian teachers, university lecturers and advisory teachers joined by three external facilitators.Presentations by the Director of the Mathematics Research Institute of the University of Stellenbosch, Dr Alwyn Olivier, includes problem solving, the use of technology such as calculators and computers, and an introduction to algebra.Professor Mamokgethi Setati from the University of Johannesburg will address topics such as language in mathematics education and the role of professional organisations.Aarnout Brombacher, a teacher educator and expert on mathematical literacy, will discuss new perspectives in mathematics education.Roessing Uranium, Namdeb, Salt & Chemicals (Pty) Ltd, Anglogold Namibia, Swakopmund Municipality, Hansa Hotel and Pupkewitz Foundation sponsored the congress, which ends on Wednesday.More information can be obtained from Linda Rush at (064) 40 4478 or the Namsta offices at (061) 24 7551.The event was officially opened on Monday at the Namib High School by Deputy Minister of Education, Becky Ndjoze-Ojo.The organiser of the congress, Magret Courtney-Clarke, said mathematics remained one of the most challenging subjects for teachers to teach and pupils to master.She said the congress was a continuation of the national capacity-building workshop conducted by the Ministry during last year’s Science and Technology Awareness Week.Sessions are presented by Namibian teachers, university lecturers and advisory teachers joined by three external facilitators.Presentations by the Director of the Mathematics Research Institute of the University of Stellenbosch, Dr Alwyn Olivier, includes problem solving, the use of technology such as calculators and computers, and an introduction to algebra.Professor Mamokgethi Setati from the University of Johannesburg will address topics such as language in mathematics education and the role of professional organisations.Aarnout Brombacher, a teacher educator and expert on mathematical literacy, will discuss new perspectives in mathematics education.Roessing Uranium, Namdeb, Salt & Chemicals (Pty) Ltd, Anglogold Namibia, Swakopmund Municipality, Hansa Hotel and Pupkewitz Foundation sponsored the congress, which ends on Wednesday.More information can be obtained from Linda Rush at (064) 40 4478 or the Namsta offices at (061) 24 7551.