Nagaland to tackle Math phobia one lab at a time

March 17, 2021 77 Views No Comment

DoSE introduces Math Laboratories in Govt schools

Morung Express News
Kohima | March 17

The fear of mathematics or ‘Math phobia’ has been a familiar malady among many Naga students for generations.

With teaching and learning mostly limited to conventional methods, for decades, students have been deprived of effective teaching aids, joyful and fun methods of learning, or even learning by doing.

This, in turn, has created a common dread for Science and Mathematics among Naga students. Math phobia refers to tension, apprehension, or fear that interferes with an individual’s math performance.

Pointing out the grim reality of ‘mind block or barrier’ for Maths, Advisor, School Education, K T Sukhalu said “It is not only today, but in the past too Math and Science has been a big challenge for many of our students. We have a mind block where Math is concerned but we have become so comfortable.”

However, in an effort to tackle the challenge of Math phobia, the Department of School Education (DoSE) Nagaland in collaboration with Advance Institute of Mathematics Statistics & Computer Science, Hyderabad has introduced the Nischal’s Smart Learning Solutions.

The Nischal’s Portable & Micro-scale Laboratories was inaugurated by Sukhalu on March 16 at Rüzhükhrie Government Higher Secondary School, Kohima.

Through this Math lab, the department aims to develop an interest for Math among the students through simplified methods by engaging the student through hands-on practical learning through innovative objects and products, which would also build the critical thinking and reasoning abilities of the students.

Nischal’s Smart Learning Solutions Pvt. Ltd based in Hyderabad is founded by Nischal Narayan, the youngest Chartered Accountant in India and the youngest to have completed graduation and double post graduation at the age of 19 years.

Its products are current being used by over 200,000 schools in 14 states, as informed by the founder during the inauguration of the laboratories. His basic concept is to improve children’s ability to grasp, apply and retain concepts in their long-term memory through joyful learning.

During the inauguration, Sukhalu stated that Nagas produce tremendous numbers of graduates in humanities with only a handful in Maths or Science compounded with serious unemployment problem with the highest number of government employees as per the population ratio.

In these circumstances, the Advisor said that the State government will not be able to provide job opportunities to all, while noting, “The future I see is in the field of Science and Math.”

He appreciated the team for the concern shown to the State and expressed optimism that this would help the students to develop an interest for the dreaded subjects and enable them to pick up the subjects without any barriers or mind blocks.

The students were advised to have the determination, focus and patience to learn, while the teachers were also advised to concentrate and learn during the two-day training programme on the usage of the products.

Acknowledging the phobia of Math, Nischal Narayanam said “most of the students have a fear or phobia of mathematics mainly because the foundation and fundamentals were not strongly learnt.”

He said that Mathematics is same all over with the difference in the methodology of learning and applying. Sharing and narrating his journey through a video clip, Narayanam maintained, “Whatever knowledge we acquire between the four walls of the classroom, the meaning and purpose is achieved only when we correlate that knowledge to the outside world, otherwise there is no meaning and purpose.”

To make learning interesting and joyful through a different dimension, he advised that every concept one learns must be applied to real life as “every small concept is linked and applicable to real life.”

He also stressed on the need to inculcate the practice of ‘learning by doing’ as the most effective method of learning. He also advised the teachers to make utmost use of the products and not to let it become a showpiece for the school.

“The potential of human mind is beyond what we can perceive. Remember, retain and recall. Transform the conventional education learning and practices. Be a catalyst in transforming Math into joy,” he said.

Under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), a full lab each has been provided to Government Higher Secondary Schools in Dimapur, Zunheboto, Mon and Rüzhükhrie GHSS with an estimated cost of Rs 7.50 lakh for a lab. A Math lab each was provided to GHSS Phek and Tuensang costing Rs 1.75 lakh each as informed by Principal Director, Shanavas C.

Source: https://morungexpress.com/nagaland-to-tackle-math-phobia-one-lab-at-a-time