Page 3 - Professorial Lecture - Prof Kasanda

INTRODUCTION

A cursory perusal of our Newspapers’ advertisements for employment
frequently yields the requirement for a pass in mathematics. This
observation and insistence for a pass in mathematics for possible
employment seem to point to the significant value placed on mathematics
in our society and work place. Indeed, as Reyes and Stanic (1988, p. 26)
observe “Knowledge of mathematics is essential for all members of our
society. To participate fully in our democratic process and to be
unrestricted in career choice and advancement, people must be able to
understand and apply mathematical ideas”. Further the frequent
reference to Mathematics as the “queen of all sciences” seems to show its
importance in its application in all spheres of life (Siegel, & Borasi, 1996, p.
205) or as the “servant of all sciences” because it is needed in problem
solving in these subjects. Kanyongo, and Brown (2013, p. 107) note that
“Mathematics education is the foundation of most educational systems
worldwide and most educational policies focus on boosting mathematics
achievement in schools”. Ali (2013, p. 905) agrees with this view, and
notes that mathematics:

… the subject that (is) recognized as the mother of all learning with
other subjects deriving their concepts from it, in both arts and
sciences. It is also an international language and is essential in almost
every field, such as handling money, measurements in fashion and
carpentry, technical, economics... Mathematics is also regarded as
the queen of all sciences, such as chemistry, physics, biology,
economics... Mathematics is a way of thinking and organizing a
logical proof. It can be used to determine whether or not an idea is
true, or at least, whether it is probably true as a way of thinking, as it
gives insight into the power of human mind and becomes a challenge
to intellectual curiosity. No wonder, any individual who is competent
in mathematical sciences, can equally have the ability to do any other

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