MALASIQUI, Pangasinan -- A total of 206 high school students in public and private schools in this town are participating in an ongoing math program from Aug. 6 to Sept. 8.
Christine Manuel Paglingayen, department head of Malasiqui National High School (MNHS) and coordinator for Mathematics Teachers Association of the Philippines (MTAP), said the program aims to provide opportunity for students to explore mathematics.
The program, a partnership between the MTAP and the Department of Education (DepEd), seeks to awaken the interest in mathematics among teachers and students; and identify and motivate mathematically-gifted as well as regular students towards full development of their potentials.
Paglingayen said the program is voluntary since each student who participates in the six Saturday classes pays a PHP200 one-time registration fee.
“The teachers who conduct the lesson for the students come from Manila so the registration is for the teacher’s fee and materials for the students,” she said in an interview Thursday.
Paglingayen admitted that teaching mathematics is still a challenge for the teachers.
“Our school got a poor ranking in the recent Mean Percentage Score-National Achievement Test for Grade 7 students hence, different approaches are being employed in the school such as the ‘Sayaw Math’, wherein students cheer or sing their lessons to make learning math a fun activity for them,” she said.
Paglingayen said MNHS is also implementing a numeracy program that employs teachers to tutor some students who have difficulty with the subject during vacant periods.
Interscholastic competitions, for all type of learners from the brightest or math wizards to average learners in math, are also held in schools in the town, she said.
“Mathematics needs practice and exposure, and that is what we are doing here,” she added. (PNA)
