THE WAY TO LOVING MATHEMATICS

Academicians are one in saying that Mathematics is the Queen of Sciences. Mathematics provides one of the more essential foundations of the learning process. It is indispensable tool in learning the concepts in the fields of science and commerce.

Mathematics is one of the subjects students are afraid of because they find it difficult to comprehend. Lack of interest in this subject and inadequate mathematical skills of the students are the major reasons why their mathematics performance are at low level. It certainly affects not just their academic performance, but also their potential to be great leaders of our country.

The result of 2003 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) showed that students of the Philippines did not perform well in Mathematics, landing at the bottom together with the likes of South Africa, Ghana, and Botswana.

In order to resolve this academic crisis, the Department of Education in partnership with the Mathematics Teachers Association of the Philippines (MTAP) has come up with the tutorial program “THE MTAP-DEPED Saturday Mathematics Program”.

In the Division of San Pablo City, the MTAP-San Pablo Chapter is very active in helping the schools in improving the mathematics performance of their students. According to Christian Lloyd Tan, a 2008 MTAP Regional Champion (Level II) from San Pablo City Science High School, the program helped him a lot in exploring Mathematics and it improved his problem solving skills.

Last July 19, 2008, there was an MTAP fever in the Division of San Pablo City. There was an increased in the number of MTAP training centers and participants in public secondary schools. This indicates that more students are enjoying the program. It shows that the students and their parents believe in the effectiveness of the program in improving their mathematical skills. This also reveals that more students are beginning to enjoy and love Mathematics.(ALBERT T. SAUL/Math Teacher/San Pablo City Science High School)