Emergency intervention for mathematics produces success
DPI, Guyana, Thursday, December 07, 2017
Guyana has managed to achieve more than 50 percent passes in Grade Six Mathematics after more than two decades. The achievement embodies the journey to the good life, Minister of Education Nicolette Henry said.
At today’s budget debate in the National Assembly, Minister Henry said 2017 has been a “decisive year” for the education sector.
Minister of Education Nicolette Henry.
The government had invested some $48.6M to address the poor performance of mathematics at the primary level with the implementation of an emergency intervention for mathematics earlier this year.
The programme entailed training teachers in content and methodology, facilitating fortnightly cluster meetings in all regions, recruitment of mathematics coordinators and monitors, training of officers and school administrators to supervise the teaching of mathematics, preparing and administering a diagnostic assessment of pupils in the hinterland before training, enhancement of public relations and parental involvement in the education of children and the acquisition of support materials for students.
This intervention has resulted in more than 47 percent of students securing passes in Mathematics and other subject areas when compared to the last five years, Minister Henry pointed out.
“We also saw increased student performance in test scores and at our national and regional examinations which will not only break the cycle of poverty for many of these students but also guarantee a better life and a brighter future for them, their families and this country,” Minister Henry said.
In 2018, the Ministry of Education will undertake the development of standards for Primary Mathematics from Grades One to Six in a bid to maintain and further improve pass performance in the subject.
There are also plans to review the education sector’s curriculum, Interactive Radio Instruction Programme (IRI), and develop a handbook for teaching methods and strategies for primary teachers.
By: Tiffny Rhodius
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