Math labs to solve students' problem with numbers

NEW DELHI: its mathematics made easy for school students.

With the aim of banishing the fear of numbers among school students, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has launched the initiative of 'math labs' that focus on explaining complex mathematical theorems through a set of tools and instruments.

The NCERT is sensitising teachers and students on how to use math labs, a countrywide initiative.

The Council has already conducted sensitisation and awareness programmes in 12 states on the utility of math labs and its target is to take the project to the remaining states this year, Head of Mathematics department at NCERT Prof Hukum Singh said.

"We are going to schools and sensitising the teachers on using math labs, which helps students comprehend mathematical concepts and learn the subject. We are asking all schools, including government schools, to start math labs of their own," he said.

Be it the Pythagoras theorem or a three-dimensional geometric figure, every topic can be exhibited through instruments and this enhances the mathematical knowledge of students by making teaching more interesting and participatory, he said.

The project has immense impact on the students and very low costs are involved in starting it, Singh said.

"Just by using cardboard, thermocol and a few instruments, a student can start his or her own lab," he said.