Building a Better Jamaica

Luke Douglas Jamaica Observer
Friday, February 26, 2010

DEVELOPING countries whose economies have made rapid improvement in recent years all have at least one thing in common, according to Minister of Education Andrew Holness -- they have focused on the teaching of mathematics in their schools.

With this in mind, the minister has called for greater public debate on how to improve math scores and a public education campaign stressing the importance of this much-feared but critical subject.

"If you notice the countries that have managed to leapfrog to the head of the line in development, they have emphasised mathematics," said Holness. "South Korea, Malaysia, India, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Singapore, Brazil and Chile with their high-tech industries are all in this category."

The minister was speaking at the launch of the 2010 Butterkist National Primary Schools Math Competition at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in St Andrew Wednesday.

Holness described Jamaica's 11th grade Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) math scores as "disturbing": of approximately 51,000 students in the age cohort, fewer than 20,000 even took the exam and of those who did, only 41 per cent passed.

"It's really sad but at least it's better than in 2005 when only 35 per cent achieved a passing grade," Holness disclosed.

It's not much better in Trinidad and Tobago or Barbados -- less than 50 per cent of their candidates passed also. "Their scores are nothing to brag about -- it's a regional problem with mathematics," he added.

Meanwhile, the national average in the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) is a lowly 53 per cent.

His suggestions to improve math performance include qualification in the subject as a prerequisite for students entering teachers' colleges; that the subject be taught in high school by teachers with a first degree and that teachers from overseas be brought in on a temporary basis.

But he indicated that not all stakeholders would like the changes.

"It's a very political issue. It's about explaining the big issue and the stakeholders understanding that they may have to give up something to gain something for the national benefit," Holness said.

Jamaica Teachers' Association president-elect Nadine Molloy, who was at the function, said the JTA looked forward to discussing the issue with Holness.