VALUES, MATHEMATICS AND SOCIETY: MAKING THE CONNECTIONS

School mathematics is intimately linked to the society in which it is taught. Whether we are preparing students for meaningful life in the society or for productive contribution in the workplace, relevant societal values are involved. On the other hand, the notion of school mathematics as value-laden is increasingly recognised. Yet, from the work of the 'Values And Mathematics Project', it is clear that there is little explicit discussion in the classroom of values and their role in relating mathematics to society. This paper aims to address this, and suggests how connections amongst values, mathematics and society may be made. Mathematics and Society School mathematics is intimately related to the society in which it is taught. Teaching mathematics for numeracy further reinforces this connection. Reflecting this at the academic level, there are educational meetings like the series of 'Mathematics Education and Society ' conferences, and there are also mathematics education conferences with themes suc