A medical doctor, Afolabi Odunsi , has opined that the reasons boys do better in mathematics and sciences are because girls lack encouragement.

Odunsi , who was the guest speaker at the prize -giving programme of a mathematics competition organised by Ambassadors Schools , Ota recently, advised teachers to encourage girls to embrace mathematics and the sciences and take up careers in those fields .

Speaking on the theme , ‘ Driving Social Change through Mathematics’ , Odunsi said there was evidence – based research that girls had the cognitive ability to compete with boys in the sciences , if encouraged .

He said, “ Among the past winners of this competition , only two were girls . Also , there were only two girls among the top-10 . Science has found that the girl -child is not inferior to the boy . All the girl -child needs is encouragement and opportunity .

“ About 30 years ago , 70 per cent of medical graduates were men . But with encouragement, it is now about 50-50 . There is advancing knowledge of mathematics for the girl child, but it is still capping off at a particular level . Today , we may have a 50 -50 ratio of male and female doctors , but when it comes to specialisation it is 70 -30. Just about five per cent of spine surgeons in North America are females . ”

The doctor urged teachers to encourage girls to embrace mathematics by motivating them and providing incentives.

“ For teachers who are here , to improve their girls , create education projects ; introduce females to role models who have excelled in Mathematics and emphasise positive values associated with careers in

Mathematics. Tell them about special incentives, ” he said .

A total of 381 schools participated in the competition aimed at eliminating the phobia for Mathematics among primary school pupils . The top 50 participants , their teachers and schools , were rewarded with cash and gift .

Nine – year-old Aruna Omogoriola , of Giant Stride Nursery and Primary School , Ota , won the grand prize of N500 , 000 .

He scored a total of 82 per cent from the three stages of the competition which featured written and oral speed examinations . His teacher, Mr Issa Moses got N150 , 000 , while the school got a laptop , printer and plaque .

Source:- Punchng