25 September 2023: For the second segment of the workshop, the discussion on sample content led to an exploration into the challenging mathematical topics in lower primary education in Ghana.
The table below shows some of the topical areas children find difficult to understand in class.
Table 1 Challenging Mathematical Topics by Grade
Analysis: The table lists mathematical topics that children in grades 1, 2, and 3 find challenging. These topics range from basic arithmetic operations like addition and subtraction to more advanced concepts such as working with negative numbers and multiplication of multi-digit numbers.
From the table, it’s evident that as the grade level progresses, the complexity of the topics also increases. For instance, while Grade 1 children struggle with understanding the concept of halves and wholes, Grade 3 children deal with more intricate operations like counting backwards in specific intervals and handling negative numbers.
Additional Remarks:
- Integrated Assessments: Alongside instruction, it is imperative to integrate practice tests and assessments. These not only gauge the students’ understanding and retention of the material but also provide teachers with valuable feedback on the effectiveness of their teaching methodologies.
- Limited Access to Textbooks: A significant challenge, especially in public schools, is the limited access to textbooks. Often, students resort to sharing a single textbook among multiple users. In many cases, only the teachers possess these learning resources. A potential solution to bridge this gap would be the development and distribution of workbooks. These workbooks, tailored for students, can serve as a supplementary resource to textbooks, ensuring each child has access to essential learning material.
- Alternative Teaching Aids: Due to the scarcity of textbooks, teachers often resort to alternative teaching aids. Common practices include sharing textbooks amongst students or transcribing the content onto blackboards. While these methods are resourceful, they may not be as effective as each student having access to individual learning materials.
- Reinforcement through Assignments: Post-instruction, it’s advisable to provide students with a series of assignments related to the topic taught. A recommendation would be to assign about five weekly tasks per topic. These assignments reinforce the lessons, encourage students to practice, and help in better retention of the concepts.
About the Project:
The Open Learning Platform for Primary Education is funded by CERES and the Jacobs Foundation. The research team, led by Prof. Richard Boateng, can be reached by richboateng[@]ug.edu.gh
Cite as:
Boateng, R., Marfo, J. S., Boateng, S. L., Penu, O. K. A., Budu, J., & Asamoah, P. (2023 September 25). Mathematical Topics Children Find Challenging in Lower Primary Education. Medium. https://medium.com/@richard.boateng/mathematical-topics-children-find-challenging-in-lower-primary-education-4281352c8a1c
Open Learning Platform for Primary Education 