[The Fountain] Why more math education?

Some say that those who gave up on math will be treated as illiterate. A paradigm shift in math instruction is needed.

PARK HYUNG-SOOThe author is an international news reporter at the JoongAng Ilbo. Greek philosopher Plato had a sign on the entrance of his academy: “Let no one ignorant of geometry enter here.” In “The Republic,” Plato, an advocate of the rule by philosopher kings, wrote that future leaders must complete the study of basic and advanced mathematics by the age of 30.

Plato valued math so much that he believed it was the basis of all education, including ethics. In addition to Plato, most Greek philosophers were mathematicians. Thales, Pythagoras, and Aristotle were masters of geometry, astronomy and arithmetic. At that time, philosophers proved their hypotheses — and designed their thoughts — based on the strict logic and reasoning of mathematics.

Since then, the age of math has opened from the Renaissance in the 15th century, the Age of Discovery and the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century. The mathematics during this time was not for the establishment of ideas or education of the leaders, but for commercial and trade development, exploration of routes to discover the new continent, colonization and expansion of markets.

As the fourth industrial revolution began in earnest, the importance of mathematics expanded to not only the economy and industry but also security. Blockchain and quantum technologies based on mathematics have become essential strategic technologies for each country. They were used by public entities and the military as well as the private sector. The United States, Europe, Japan, Russia and China are eager to recruit outstanding mathematicians.

On Jan. 4, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced reinforced mathematics education in his New Year’s address. “And it’s the single most important reason why I came into politics: to give every child the highest possible standard of education,” he said. “In a world where data is everywhere and statistics underpin every job, our children’s jobs will require more analytical skills than ever before. And letting our children out into the world without those skills, is letting our children down.” Mathematics is necessary for survival, not to become a leader or rich.

The Ministry of Education recently announced a revision to the 2022 curriculum. In high school math textbooks, matrix, spatial vectors and ratio estimation standards that were omitted in the 2018 revision were added again. They are the most important chapters in writing AI algorithms and big data processing.

But the number of instruction hours remains the same. Some are voicing concerns about “superficial instruction” in the field. Some say that those who gave up on math will be treated as illiterate. A paradigm shift in math instruction is needed.