Mathematics teaching is deeply embedded in its social context and aimed at individuals who see themselves as part of that society. For mathematics to be practical and useful, students must perceive its applicability across various problems and disciplines. Teaching should integrate mathematics with other subjects, fostering cooperative group work and making learning meaningful. Teachers need to listen to students and community needs, communicate effectively, adapt to environmental changes, and use opportunities for improvement. They must build self-confidence, motivation, and leadership, while also promoting collaboration and negotiation skills. The profession demands a blend of emotional intelligence and cognitive skills, ensuring that mathematics is not only a personal endeavor but also a social activity involving conjecture, discussion, and shared learning. Effective teaching involves posing provocative questions, stimulating student thought, and making informed decisions about introducing formal mathematical concepts. Reflective practice helps teachers address challenges and design effective classroom projects.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted education, impacting 1.53 billion learners globally, especially those from low-income households and rural areas (Pfunye & Ademola-Popoola, 2021). School closures exacerbated existing challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa, widening educational disparities due to limited internet access, affecting 1 in 2 Ghanaians, 1 in 5 Burkinabe, and 2 in 5 Kenyans (Commissioned by EM2030 - The Jaslika Support Team, 2021; Statica, 2022). This digital divide deepened pre-existing educational barriers, potentially hindering the return to school for vulnerable children. ActionAid's surveys anticipate increased drop-out rates, early pregnancies, child marriages, and socio-economic challenges (Commissioned by EM2030 - Gombe, L. & Ngigi, S., 2021). Despite international efforts, responses to maintain education often lack local perspectives, driving this conference's aim to incorporate globally accepted local scholars' insights for effective pandemic-era education strategies.

With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been plentiful variations in the educational system in many parts of the world. Presently, it appears that the emergence of the virus has affected the medium of instruction, physical activities among learners and teachers, the children's psychological disposition, their anxiety and the need for resilience. In respect to education, we have to discuss further the introduction of digital technology in education in areas where they were non-existing, the relation of synchronous and asynchronous education. Indeed, it could be argued that the impact is more on the developing countries educational sector than the developed countries.

Themed Issue with Topic Related to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The sudden outbreak and wide spread of the coronavirus (COVID -19) brings many changes to our everyday social life, the teaching and learning processes, it highlights the necessity to adapt alternative teaching and learning environments. SER published a special issue on the theory, practices and studies which have been developed recently concerning the social consequences of the pandemic on students', teachers', families'life in general and under an educational and/or psychological perspective in particular.