MATHEMATICS EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: IMPLICATIONS TO THE PRODUCTION AND RETENTION OF MATHEMATICS TEACHERS IN NIGERIAN SCHOOLS

Abstract

The paper is focused to examine the problems of the shortage of Mathematics teachers at all levels of the Nigerian educational system. The problem of the shortage of mathematics teachers is due to the poor condition of teachers in Nigeria. Students are not attracted to study the mathematical sciences and are rather attracted to more lucrative professions. Therefore, we have our best brains in other professions at the expense of the teaching profession. Shortage of mathematics teachers leads to poor performance of students and shortage of professionals in science and technology which results in low level of technological and sustainable development of the nation. To produce and retain mathematical sciences teachers, the paper recommends that action should be put in place to deliberately improve the salaries and conditions of service of teachers as done in some African Countries and Advanced Countries; arrangements should be made to retrain our unemployed graduates especially those in social sciences to convert them to mathematics teachers; Students wishing to study the mathematical sciences education should be awarded bursary to attract them to the courses; and specialist teachers should be employed to teach mathematics at the Primary School level.