WAEC Chief Examiner Reveals How Students Can Pass Mathematics With Ease

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Chief Examiner for General Mathematics at the Gwagwalada Centre, Mr Samson Olubenga Otunubi, has advised students to overcome their fear of Mathematics through regular practice and consistency.

Otunubi gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, where he described Mathematics as one of the easiest subjects to master when students develop the right attitude and practise consistently.

He said the belief that Mathematics is a difficult subject has discouraged many students from developing interest in it, contributing to poor performance in examinations.

According to him, ineffective teaching methods, negative societal perceptions, lack of interest and misconceptions passed down from one generation to another are among the factors responsible for students’ difficulties in Mathematics.

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He urged students to solve mathematical problems regularly, noting that consistent practice would help them build confidence and improve their performance.

“Students must practice regularly and solve mathematical problems consistently. The more they practice, the more confident they become,” he said.

The WAEC examiner also encouraged students to develop a genuine interest in Mathematics and connect mathematical concepts to everyday activities to make learning easier and more meaningful.

He noted that students who properly understand the subject can achieve excellent results, including perfect scores.

Otunubi called on parents to provide their children with relevant Mathematics textbooks and engage qualified teachers where necessary to support their learning.

He also urged schools to employ competent Mathematics teachers, provide adequate instructional materials and properly motivate teachers to improve teaching and learning outcomes.

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Describing Mathematics as the foundation of many academic disciplines, he said proficiency in the subject could improve students’ performance in other areas while also expanding their future career opportunities.

Otunubi welcomed recent education reforms, including the introduction of vocational and entrepreneurial education, but warned against reducing Mathematics requirements for students in the arts.

He said maintaining strong academic standards would encourage students to take their studies more seriously.

Speaking on the growing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education, Otunubi said the technology could be a useful learning tool when used appropriately.

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However, he cautioned students against depending entirely on AI for their studies, noting that the technology could sometimes provide inaccurate information.

He advised students to develop enough knowledge of their subjects to enable them to verify the accuracy of information generated by AI.

Otunubi stressed that while AI could support learning, students should continue to build their own understanding and problem-solving abilities through regular study and practice.

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