Learning mathematics forced one to learn how to think logically and how to solve that skill. It also teaches one to be precise in thoughts and words. We are surrounded with math and with people who work with math. It is difficult to find any areas of life that is not touched by math.
Lower secondary math focus on mathematical problem solving. The emphasis is on the development of concepts, skills and it's underlying processes. This, together with the explication of thinking skills and the integration of IT in mathematics teaching and learning, will give leverage to the development of mathematical problem solving.