ABEOKUTA– The President, Association of Retired Principals of Secondary Schools of Nigeria (ARPSSON) Ogun state chapter, Alexander Obadimu has expressed concerns over the removal of mathematics as a condition for admission for students studying arts and humanities courses in universities and polytechnics.
Speaking at the 3rd annual congress of the association held in Abeokuta, the state capital, Wednesday, Obadimu noted that such decision could turn many students away from studying mathematics related courses.
Recall that the Federal Government had in a statement through the Ministry of Education said that credit in mathematics in the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), would no longer be a condition for admission for students studying arts and humanities courses in universities and polytechnics.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa said that for years, admission seekers in arts and humanities, like their contemporaries in sciences and social sciences, have been mandated to have five credits, including mathematics and English language, to secure admission into higher institutions
“The revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions are designed to remove barriers while maintaining academic standards”, he said
Obadimu however said, the policy, if allowed may affect enrolment in science classes, which according to him will further create a gap within the education deliverables expected in the sector.
“It is very unfortunate that such decisions could come up at this time around. Students, many of them would run off from mathematics related courses.
“Mathematics has its very good side and saying it’s no longer required is unfortunate. Many of the students would not even try to offer it again and lo and behold, you would discover that academic decadence would start coming in.
“Mathematics has its very own positive role in academics generally, well its very unfortunate and I want to believe that it won’t stay for long because some higher institutions might not take it as decided by the federal ministry of education”.
