EDITORIAL: It does not add up

The nation has been gripped by a national-security dilemma for so long that we tend to forget other pertinent matters which require urgent attention. We were reminded recently at the Butterkist National Primary School mathematics awards ceremony about the dismal performance of students in mathematics at all levels.

Grade IV numeracy test levels this year were below 50 per cent; those for Grade VI were 53 per cent and trending down, while at the CXC level only 41 per cent were successful.

Test results give a rough indication of the health of the nation's education system. When it comes to mathematics, it is clear that the patient is in extremely poor health. The Ministry of Education has set a lofty goal of achieving 75 per cent numeracy by the year 2015. Widespread mediocrity within the school system may prove to be the biggest barrier

to this ambitious target.

It is a matter among the teachers, the Ministry of Education, students and parents. Each must play a role. Teachers must utilise appropriate teaching resources provided by the Ministry of Education in its effort to promote teaching of a high standard. The ministry needs to be more vigilant in its monitoring of performance targets in schools. Parents need to impress on their children that education is the only route to advancement, and the children need to understand that it is important for them to be competent in mathematics to be able to function at an acceptable level when conducting their affairs, personal or business.

no love for math

It is not unusual to hear students declare unapologetically that they don't like mathematics, or to hear a student being labelled a 'math brains' because he or she is good at problem solving. The indifference or near hostility to mathematics is a cultural thing.

Many conclude that the fear of mathematics has much to do with how the subject is taught. Not enough teachers use their lessons to demonstrate the relevance of mathematics to everyday living or try to illustrate how mathematics is critical for conducting daily business activities. And few made the subject interesting and alive. It is a fact that excellent teachers get measurably better results than the mediocre ones no matter which students they teach. The challenge before us is to develop a quality mathematics education culture.

We congratulate Butterkist for its long-standing initiative and submit that other corporate groups should consider getting involved at other levels if they believe that a competitive workforce must be proficient in numeracy.

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