National Mathematical Centre (NMC) has expressed concern over the girl-child low interest in Mathematics. Director of NMC, Prof. Stephen Onah, who spoke yesterday in Abuja at the award ceremony and crowning of Mathematics queens, regretted that the Nigerian girl student has been placed in a disadvantaged position, especially in the area of education, which he said, had relegated her in the general scheme of things.

According to Onah, being a victim of discrimination and male chauvinism, the girl-child hardly could compete educationally with her male counterpart, adding that the attitude has badly affected the girl-child’s education in the area of enrolment in school, performance in class and her quest to progress educationally.

“It is on this background and our quest to encourage, motivate and boost the interest of the girl students in Mathematics that the special improvement training and competition for girl students was conceived.

“One of the objectives of the competition is to stimulate enthusiasm in the learning of Mathematics and mathematical sciences among young Nigerian girl students,” he said. He stated that the NMC is also committed to encouraging and supporting activities such as Mathematics competition that would lead to the improvement of teaching Mathematics and mathematical sciences at all levels, among others.

Meanwhile, the Communique Committee Chairman for the campaign of Nigerian Girl Student, Adebimpe Idiagbon, implored the Federal Government to reward students who emerge from different states with scholarships and other incentives, since they are from poor background and public schools. He also called for the provision of matron who will accompany them where there is no female teacher, since the programme involves only the girl students.