Which of the following is a narrow aim of teaching mathematics ?

Correct Answer: To make students proficient in handling numbers and number operations.

Explanation:

According to the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2005, the aims of mathematics education are broadly categorized into higher (broader) aims and narrow aims:

1. Narrow Aims:
The narrow aims of teaching mathematics focus primarily on developing basic literacy, numeracy, and utilitarian skills essential for everyday life. These include:
- Developing proficiency in handling numbers, basic arithmetic, and number operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division).
- Developing skills related to measurement, decimals, percentages, and basic spatial understanding.
- Preparing students for social and economic life by giving them computational fluency.

2. Higher / Broader Aims:
The broader aims focus on cognitive development and mathematical thinking, such as:
- Encouraging systematic reasoning and logical thinking.
- Developing the ability to construct and evaluate mathematical arguments (truth and falsity of statements).
- Enhancing abstraction, problem-solving, and generalization abilities.

Therefore, making students proficient in handling numbers and basic numerical operations represents a narrow aim of teaching mathematics, focusing on foundational computational capabilities.