In the context of these two projects, the UNESCO Dakar has identified best practices in the teaching of mathematics in secondary schools.

UNESCO: MEDIA SERVICES

The mathematical sciences were neglected almost to the point of extinction within the mediaeval educational system, the schools teaching almost no mathematics and the universities only paying lip service to a narrow curriculum of mathematical topics at the very lowest level.

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"I think some people who are in mathematics, teaching mathematics in college or are in mathematics professions have a much higher expectation of what those standards would be than someone who is going to go into college in another field ... law, social sciences and so forth, " Wilhoit said in an interview Monday.

CNN: State, federal education experts mull nationwide standards

He argues that excessive use of whole-class teaching might mean pupils spending so long being lectured about mathematics that they never get to solve equations for themselves.

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Sue Pope of the Association of Teachers of Mathematics, said some schools were doing an excellent job but too much teaching to the test meant that not enough young people were getting "the opportunity to experience the excitement, fascination, joy and beauty of maths".

BBC: Rushed maths leads to 'superficial' learning, report says

His view on the importance of education has prompted him to start BA32, a foundation promoting the idea of teaching youth in a practical and interesting way, focused on encouraging children across the globe to learn more about mathematics, science and technology.

CNN: January 23, 2013 -- Updated 1738 GMT (0138 HKT)