Mathematically Killing The Future With Mathematics

John has always dreamt to be a writer. He has been reading numerous books by both local and foreign writers to study their style of writing.

He knows that to achieve his dream, he has to further his education and learn more about writing and what it entails..

He decided to attend University of Cape Coast and read Communication Studies when the WASSCE result is released.

Unfortunately for John, he had E8 in mathematics when the result was released. The E8 meant that he was not going to be admitted in the University of Cape Coast. His dream seems to remain a dream because of mathematics, a subject he will not study again in UCC if he is admitted.

John is frustrated and as he peered through his window it seemed to him that his long held dream was vanishing through his old windowless window into the thin air.

Esi loves acting. Ever since she saw a drama troupe from University of Education (Winneba) perform in her school, she has grown a strong feeling for acting.

She started practicing how to act. Her friends and teachers were awed by her talent. She joined the drama club and performed in many plays in her school.

She discussed with the school counsellor her dream to act and after series of counselling sessions she decided that she will go to the University of Education and read Theatre Arts. She was determined to work hard and improve on her acting skills so that she will join a drama troupe and perform on stage.

After school, she bought tickets to watch drama at the theater every weekend and never missed a show by the Roverman Productions. Being in that drama troupe would be a dream for her; her wildest thought.

The WASSCE result was released and Esi was already sick to the stomach. She feared she will fail mathematics.

Her fears came to pass. She had F9 in mathematics but performed very well in all the other subjects especially English and Literature in English (A1 in both subjects).

She called the schools counsellor to discuss her results with him. Sadly the counsellor told her that she will not be admitted to the University of Education because she had F9 in mathematics. Esi felt the world was crushing in on her. She shouted "but I am not going there to read mathematics, I want to read Theatre Arts, I love acting and that is what I want to do". Her shout was very loud but nobody heard her. Nobody saw the pains in her heart.

James was adored in his SHS by both teachers and students not only because he was the football team captain but because he was an exceptional sportsman. He was the school's best football player by a mile and the held the record for both the 100 meters race and the 200 meters race in the whole of Western Region. He was marvellous at high jump as well and many felt he had spring under his feet.

It was so clear to him that he was talented in sports and wanted to develop himself to become a professional.

He bought awaiting forms of UCC and UEW and applied for Physical Education in both Universities. However, he was not admitted by any of the Universities. He knew the reason why.

He had D7 in mathematics in his WASSCE result. He stared at the result for uncountable number of times and whispered to himself "but I am an exceptional sportsman, I am talented in sports, why can't I do P.E because of mathematics? " He had no answer for his question. How I wish I did, but unfortunately, I do not have the answer too.

Kwame Antah wants to be a journalist. Radio and television are basically the only friends he has. He knows every radio station in Western Region and the order of the program as well as the host and producers. His desire to be a journalist is a flaming one.

In SHS, he organized his classmates and discussed matters of importance in the school and outside the school. He assumed the role of a host who is quizzing his panelists (his classmates) to churn information from them.

At the dormitory and in class he script things that happens in the order of what is done in the newspapers that he has been reading from the library.

Kwame Antah unsurprisingly was nicknamed Mr. Journalist by his classmates and peers.

Kwame Antah and his dad decided that it will be better he attended Ghana Institute of Journalism.

Kwame's dad came home looking gloom and sad, Kwame had failed mathematics in WASSCE and his dream of becoming a journalist was on the line. Kwame suddenly lost a smile on hearing the news. After minutes of awkward silence between them, Kwame said "but dad I am not going to do linear equation nor cycle theorems on radio, I am not even going to study mathematics in GIJ or Legon per the program I applied. Why should they deny me because of mathematics? Why can't I pursue my dream because of mathematics? " His dad was still silent for he had no answer.

There are many Johns, Esis, James and Kwame Antahs that we attended school with, many of people in our neighborhoods whose dreams have been curtailed because of the poor basis of admitting students into our tertiary institutions.

Why not make mathematics a basic requirement for only those aiming to pursue mathematics and engineering related programs?

Why not make Integrated Science a basic requirement for those aiming to read programs that are directly related to science?

Why not make English requirement basic for English related programs only?

Why deny John, Esi, James and Kwame Antah their bright futures because of a subject their dreams will have nothing to do with?.

Why make mathematics to mathematically kill the future of determined and energetic students?.

Of course, the core subjects are relevant. That is why, I think it should be enforced in schools and examined on, but not to the dead point of chocking someone's dream to death. This has been a major blow on the cheeks of development since individuals are forced by Mr Mathematics to develop passion for other jobs to sustain in the survival city.

To any John, Esi, Kwame Antah, and James out there, I say hold on fast to your dream.

Written By:
COSMOS SAVIOUR ANSAH
#THECOSMOS