Mathematics Education for Girls

Equipping Young Minds: The Power of Mathematics Education for Girls

Often seen as a complex subject, mathematics can be a viable tool for personal and social growth. For young girls brought up in the most deprived parts of the United Kingdom, the opportunity to learn mathematics properly is a rare gift that can change their lives. Dr. Salhan, a renowned mathematician, spearheads the mission of encouraging and nurturing young minds, especially girls, to learn mathematics by providing the necessary support and infrastructure.

Breaking Down the Boundaries: The Struggles of Young Girls in Mathematics

Commuting to school to study mathematics poses double trouble for girls in disadvantaged communities. These challenges include:

• Inadequate Resources: The unavailability of good-quality books, calculators, and other teaching aids can be a significant setback.
• Cultural Beliefs: It is a widely accepted propaganda that maths is a male bastion.
• Lack of Inspirational Figures: There are not many women mathematicians, engineers and scientists, who can act as role models for the young girls.

These factors affect the girls’ willingness to engage with mathematics and self-esteem.

Several strategies must be employed to overcome these situations and encourage young girls to engage with mathematics.

Creating Supportive Learning Environments:

• Foster a safe, friendly, and supportive environment within the classroom.
• Create a competitive as well as supportive environment for the learners.
• Create a forum for sharing experiences and insights from the girls.

Gender-sensitive Strategies:

• Contextualize mathematics by incorporating examples from everyday life.
• Create viable contexts that will enable children to manipulate materials.
• Introduce various learning devices, like fixing and viewing screens, to facilitate learning.

Extracurricular Activities and Community Outreach:

• Facilitate formations and help engage the students in mathematics clubs and contests.
• Encourage the children’s primary and secondary Teachers to help them with mathematics.

Career Awareness and Exposure:

• Illustrate the different types of careers available in the STEM fields.
• Connect girls with female role models in mathematics and science fields.
• Offer mentorship opportunities and attachment/externship opportunities.

Inspiring a New Generation:

Anjulika Salhan’s Mission for Girls in Mathematics Anjulika Salhan stands at the forefront of advancing girls’ education in mathematics, driven by a vision of a more equitable and enlightened future. Her work centres on sparking a genuine love for numbers, ensuring that today’s girls can grow into tomorrow’s leading mathematicians and scientists. By removing the entrenched hurdles they face and inspiring them to embrace their full potential, she hopes to cultivate a generation whose contributions will shape a fairer, brighter society.