Mathematics education is considered to be a critical area to address in the current era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. (Image credit: Kobiz Media)
SEOUL, March 7 (Korea Bizwire) — The Korean Mathematical Society has expressed concerns about the possible reduction of math subjects for the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT). In a statement released on Tuesday, the Korean Mathematical Association firmly opposed any attempt to exclude calculus II and geometry from the CSAT.
They argued that omitting these disciplines from the CSAT would undermine the foundation of university education and weaken science and technology.
Despite opposition from those in mathematics and science circles, the Ministry of Education announced in December last year that in a revised curriculum, calculus II and geometry subjects among high school math subjects were excluded from general elective subjects.
The reduction or change of subjects could have a decisive impact on the nation’s future, given that even students at Seoul National University, considered one of Korea’s top universities, are retaking high school courses due to their weak basic education.
Mathematics education is considered to be a critical area to address in the current era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Mathematical thinking ability, which maximizes brain action, systematic and objective thinking, efficiency, and convergent thinking ability are all emerging as important learning values.
Despite the need to reduce the burden of students’ learning and parents’ private education, the Korean Mathematical Association argued that reducing the amount of math subject learning after each revision of the curriculum would only lead to a declining academic background for science and engineering students.
The Korean Mathematical Association stated that students who have already entered college without properly learning calculus and geometry, the basic language of college science and engineering, are struggling because they do not have the ability to take basic classes.
The controversy arises from the precedent of excluding geometry from the general selection in the 2015 revised curriculum and removing geometry from the CSAT for a year.
Mathematical thinking ability, which maximizes brain action, systematic and objective thinking, efficiency, and convergent thinking ability are all emerging as important learning values. (Image credit: Kobiz Media)
The problems of the Korean mathematics education system were brought into focus when professor Heo Jun-yi, a Korean mathematician, was awarded the Fields Medal, widely regarded as the Nobel Prize of mathematics.
Heo struggled with the Korean mathematics education system during his youth, which caused him a great deal of frustration.
However, he became fascinated and passionate about mathematics after attending a lecture by Heisuke Hironaka, an honorary professor at Tokyo University, while studying in the United States.
Although an educational method is needed to approach the essence of mathematics that evokes curiosity and creative thinking, the Korean education system appears to be pursuing a misguided approach by reducing subjects.
Mathematics has significant importance infields such as science, engineering, economics, computer science, and statistics. Mathematical thinking skills help improve problem-solving skills, which are useful in solving problems in everyday life.
The reduction of math subjects in the CSAT could have far-reaching consequences for the nation’s future, including a weakening of overall ability in science and technology.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
