Seven-point strategy to address Math deficiency given Cabinet ‘go-ahead’

Georgetown, GINA, November 10, 2016

The state of Guyana’s students to adequately grasp Mathematics has engaged the highest level of Government. This has led to Education Minister, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine getting Cabinet’s approval for a seven-point proposal to address this deficiency.

Addressing the media today, at a post -Cabinet Briefing at Ministry of the Presidency, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon said that the strategy is termed the “Emergency Education intervention for improved performance in Mathematics by students in Grade Six.”

The programme entails training of 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.

Minister Harmon said that after a very thorough discussion, financing of the plan was approved and the sum of $48, 682, 690 granted for its implementation, which has already begun. Further sums, he added, will be approved as the strategy continues to be implemented in 2017 and onwards.

The National Council for Education Research and Development (NCERD), Minister Harmon explained, has also moved to address the Mathematics deficiency by several interventions. These include the rehiring of teachers who left the education sector due to retiring or other issues including measures to attract those based overseas, increasing the available number of persons able to teach the subject, and the holding of conferences for teachers across the country to prepare for the strategy being implemented.

 

By: Paul McAdam

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