MATHEMATICS does not always have to be a struggle. Although it is challenging, the moment learners start to see the exciting part of the subject and understand the basics, they will start to enjoy the challenge.
These are the words of 24-year-old Nelson Mandela University student, Awonke Nqayiya, who recently published his very own study guide, Mathematics with Nqayiya, aimed at Grade 11 and 12 learners.
Nqayiya, who is currently doing his master’s degree in mathematical statistics, said that the idea to create a study guide for high school learners came about when he helped out with tutoring programmes during his university holidays.
“I’ve been involved with numerous educational programmes that seek to improve the performance and unlock the potential of high school learners.
“The aim of these programmes was to deliver effective mathematics lessons to Grades 11 and 12 learners.
“During this process, I would observe that these students were struggling a lot with the subject, but after a few sessions, I could see the impact that I already had on them and how they came to understand concepts they didn’t know prior to our lessons,” Nqayiya explained.
That is when he realised that his lessons were quite effective and he wanted to preserve these teaching methodologies for future students.
“Another thing I observed was that learners struggled with the basics of mathematics and, since my lessons seemed to work well, I thought that I should document my methodologies. That way they can also be available to learners that cannot be in the classroom with me and that is when I decided to publish the study guide.”
Although there were heavy financial demands, when it came to publishing the book and he had to do so from his own pocket, Mathematics with Nqayiya was officially on the shelves at the end of 2020, three years after he started writing, in 2017.
“My late father was very excited at the prospect of me publishing the guide and he would have been so happy for me. He passed away in July last year and the book was on the shelves three months later.”
Nqayiya said the response he had received so far from his peers and even those with decades’ experience in mathematics, has been remarkable.
“It is also heart-warming that I was able to publish this study guide. It is a dream come true.”
When asked to give advice to learners struggling with mathematics, Nqayiya said that there is a common misconception among learners that you should not study for maths and just practise.
“That is not true. Mathematics should be studied like a theoretical subject.
“There are two phases to conquering the challenge and you have to do both:
“Firstly, you should study the concepts, theories and principles of maths and then you should practise. Both these phases need to be completed if you want to excel at mathematics.”
He added that the basics are extremely important and he will always be grateful to his mathematics teachers throughout his schooling years.
“From junior all the way up to high school, I had the most amazing maths teachers and they set a strong foundation by making learners understand the basics first.
“I will always be grateful for that.”
The study guide is available from Nqayiya for R220. He can be contacted on 073 426 6012.
