Leadership is Numeracy on Steroids
OPINION: The trajectory of the BRICS bloc will be guided by those who prioritise, invest in, and secure a robust Mathematical foundation for their youth — a lesson South Africa should heed
By Alison Scott – Executive Principal of Bellavista School[i]
The Leadership Weekly Note schedule for week #36 of 2023 does not cover a conversation about mathematics in South Africa, or mathematics as a means to secure economic prosperity, in general.
The original Note that was taking shape has been put aside after reading Alison Scott’s persuasive article, which popped into my early Sunday morning news feed.
Apart from influential leadership’s primary purpose to change things—people, their circumstances, their present and future—for the better, much of the work we do is amongst youths who have just entered their age of reason.
We are devoted to our work amongst the generations who have so much life still ahead of them.
When these two dynamics come together—how to shape change for the better and giving youths the lever to shape their lives, our senses are on acute alert.
So, allow me to joust a bit with the theme of Alison’s article.
Please refer to her article I have referenced in the footnote.
It is a persuasive and heartfelt argument from someone that comes across as a deeply conscientized teacher and citizen. Furthermore, seeking ways to improve peoples’ lives and economic circumstances is a leadership dynamic!
Let me be unequivocal that being numerate is as important as being linguistically capable of proper speech and comprehension.
Being mathematically skilled and capable is better than not.
As the Notes are shared with an international audience, let us keep in mind the principles here, not the country specifics (Alison’s article is written from a South African perspective, but applies generally).
That being said, South Africa is last in the reading and comprehension test (PIRLS 2016 and 2021) and almost last (56/58) in the 2019 TIMSS assessment (mathematics).
If any reader is unfamiliar with these international relativity assessments, take a tour via your search engine.
There is no debate here.
South Africa has systemic and enduring problems in comprehension and mathematics. Competing as a country, and as individuals, in a globalised marketplace is impossible without these basic capabilities.
The question that arises, however, is whether being highly numerate—which is also more than just getting maths answers correct—is thé driver of economic prosperity (and more importantly, a better life in an inclusive way).
Here is my pushback, on the relative value of high mathematics scores and their translation into better lives.
Let us also note that there is a debate to be had about what constitutes ‘a good life’, a happy life, a fulfilled life, a better life and so forth.
For the sake of brevity, let us just put it up as a question without an easy answer.
Mathematics, like language and communications skills, is a necessary ingredient to engaging meaningfully in socio-economic activity. It is about getting a decent and dignified job, a base for further studies and just understanding how things work.
But, mathematics and its next stage, numeracy, are hygiene necessities for anyone living in the 21st century. In its absence people are excluded at many levels of participation.
No argument.
But here is the difference between a hygiene factor and an Apex Skill.
I have two points to make in defence of leadership being both essential and necessary for inclusive better lives.
- Alison refers to a quote by Napoleon Bonapart on the importance of mathematics and a state’s prosperity. Yes, and no.A state’s prosperity is not necessarily a peoples’ prosperity or their better lives. If it was as Napoleon stated we would find a causative positive correlation between the best maths country and the peoples’ happiness, the meaningfulness of their lives and so forth.We don’t.In a BRICS context (used by Alison), for example, the Russian Federation, is at #6 for TIMSS 2019 (and top 3 for PIRLS).In measures of ‘best country to live in’, Russia is way down the lists. For example, an index of quality of life places Russia 48th and South Africa at 60th. For comparison, the USA is 21st and Ukraine 82nd.Russia. The so-called backward place that hundreds of thousands of people try to escape from. The clever maths country that produces lots of military weapons, and goes to war to resolve historical disputes. A president who wants to be Tsar for life.There is also an inference that during apartheid a few people had access to better mathematics teaching and knowledge.It is so. But these were the very same people—the ones with better maths—who were on the wrong side of history, and moral and strategic choices.Mathematics does not help us make smart choices…The same can be said of all narrow technical skills, whether it be accounting, engineering, plumbing, music or sport.There must be more to how we achieve a better life.
My second point relies on another Napoleon advisory, one of my favourite leadership maxims.
The only way to lead people is to show them a future:
a leader is a dealer in hope.Napoleon Bonaparte (1769–1821)
If you have done the Alpha Programme you will have come across the above maxim, and how many layers of meaning and inference it holds about leadership and shaping change for the better.
Being hopeful is also one of our behavioural attributes!
What South Africa needs, and what humanity needs, goes beyond mathematics, smart algorithm design and software engineering.
Yes, do your sums, be an A-grade mathematics student, be numerate, find a dignified and rewarding economic activity—this is necessary.
But, to think critically, choose smartly and act with purpose for productive outcomes, we need influential leadership.
Regards,
Colin @ Karoo
Influential Leadership: Beyond Maths!
[i] IOL. Accessed on 3 September 2023
Leadership Weekly Note: 3623. 040923
e: colind@karoo.world
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