Past, Present, and Future of Mathematics Education Research in Africa

Abstract

When studying mathematics education research in Africa, especially Sub-Saharan Africa, it is necessary to regard it as an interdisciplinary research domain between international education development (development studies) and mathematics education (mathematics education research, curriculum studies) due to its seriousness of developmental issues. Holding this point in mind, this research tried to reflect on what mathematics education research has achieved in Africa so far and deliberates on future tasks from now on. In other words, the objective of this is to consider the past, present and future of mathematics education and its research in Africa. To achieve this objective, the study set four research questions and conducted systematic review. It clarified major points of mathematics education in general, especially the socio-cultural aspects of mathematics education so far and impact of international education development and international educational assessment on mathematics education and its research. As a result, it discussed the issues and possibilities in mathematics education in Africa through studying on recent trends and summarizing major points.