More than eight thousand students, teachers and education officials from the pre-primary to tertiary level, converged on the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, for the fourth staging of the Ministry of Education’s National Mathematics Expo. 

In the photograph, students from Clan Carthy Primary School perform a dub poem promoting the learning of maths at the recent launch of the National Math Expo at the UWI, Mona Campus

The exposition held on Thursday (March 10) was the climax of Ministry’s National Mathematics Week which was observed from March 6-11, under the theme: ‘Math Counts’. Partly sponsored by the UWI, the math expo facilitated the engagement of teachers and students in display and demonstration booths that highlighted the importance of Mathematics in all areas of life. 

Along with these, concept-based booths were mounted, allowing for an interactive exploration of mathematical concepts and theories outlined in both the primary and secondary curricula. The students also learnt the application of mathematics to their daily life, different methodologies that can be employed to learn the subject as well as new materials on the market in the subject area. 

Dr. Grace McLean, Chief Education Officer, said the Ministry understood the importance of advancing mathematics both for an individual’s personal development and as a powerful tool to understand and change the world. 

“As Jamaica strives to take its place within a fiercely competitive and highly globalised marketplace, the persons who will be best equipped to provide leadership in many significant areas are those whose reasoning, problem solving and critical thinking skills are best developed,” Dr. McLean said in her address to the hundreds of students who had gathered for the expo’s opening ceremony. 

National Mathematics Coordinator in the Ministry of Education, Dr. Tamika Benjamin, said the objective of the expo was to create an environment where students can interact with the subject in a way that is fun, engaging, and that will help them appreciate and see its relevance and its many applications in everyday life.

“The Ministry has resolved to change the negative trend in mathematics performance by developing, implementing and sustaining a robust strategy, designed to address the critical factors which are affecting the teaching and learning of the subject,” she explained. 

The National Mathematics Coordinator added that in order to change the negative attitude towards mathematics, opportunities must be provided to reduce levels of anxiety, to motivate students, change the belief system of teachers, and to help students see the relevance of the subject. 

Addressing the opening ceremony of the mathematics expo Professor Archibald McDonald, Pro Vice Chancellor and Principal at the UWI stated that based on the thrust to create a more academic society, the University hoped that the students recognize that Mathematics should be embraced and not viewed with apprehension, as it opens up to a world of knowledge and opportunity. 

Indicating that primary, secondary and tertiary level students need to be provided with a new perspective on the social and economic benefits of this important subject, the Mathematics Expo he said is the ideal step in this direction. 

“Mathematics is a subject area that teaches us how to utilize problem-solving, critical and analytical skills to find methodological solutions to life’s most complex issues. The value of mathematics is that it teaches us to recognize that there are always logical solutions to any challenging problem we may face, he said. 

Students were able to view booths mounted by organizations, such as Kingston Bookshop, Planning Institute of Jamaica – Vision 2030 Jamaica, LMH Publishing, Sam Sharpe Teachers College, Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority, Sangster’s Book Store, HEART Trust/NTA, Jamaica National Building Society, Statistical Institute of Jamaica, Mico University College, University of Technology Jamaica, the University of the West Indies, Jamaica Stock Exchange, Insurance Association of Jamaica, among many others. 

The expo also featured live outside broadcasts, scheduled tours of the UWI, competitions and a variety of games and activities.

Senator The Hon Ruel Reid (centre), Minister of Education, Youth and Information along with Mr Floyd Green (3rd right), Minister of State, interacts with senior managers at the ministry’s headquarters at National Heroes Circle during his first day on the job (March 8, 2016). From left are Mr Hector Stephenson, Executive Director, Overseas Examination Commission; Dr Maurice Smith, Permanent Secretary; and Ms Dorrett Campbell, Deputy Chief Education Officer. Dr Smith welcomed the newly appointed ministers who both expressed their desire to lead the ministry’s team in advancing education.

ONEAL MCLEOD, teacher at the Godfrey Stewart High School in Westmoreland, is the Ministry of Education’s Mathematics Teacher of the Year 2016. 

McLeod was selected as the winner from five national finalists. Debra Morrison Muir of the Jessie Ripoll Primary school was runner-up, while the other finalists were Marlon McKenzie of the Holy Trinity High School, Karen Hartley of Bethabara Primary and Nerissa Stephens from Little London Primary. 

“I feel great. Words cannot explain how I feel today,” said an elated McLeod after receiving the award during a ceremony on Tuesday at the Jamaica Conference Centre, Downtown Kingston.

“I motivate my students and as a teacher I also need motivation. This award certainly serves as motivation for me,” he stated. 

McLeod was also named as the finalist for Region Four and copped the award for the best mathematics lesson at the secondary level. Nerissa Stephens from the Little London Primary won for best mathematics lesson at the primary level. 

His prizes include a one-year membership to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), which is the world’s largest organisation concerned with mathematics education, as well as a trip to San Francisco for the NCTM 2016 Conference.

According to Dr Tamika Benjamin, National Mathematics Coordinator at the Ministry of Education, each year the Mathematics Teacher of the Year Competition is a reminder that despite teaching conditions being less than ideal, teachers continue to deliver quality mathematics lessons.

“Teachers are making a commendable attempt to ensure that students are excited by and interested in Mathematics. To this end there has been greater and more strategic use of technology and more deliberate attempts to include learning activities to which students can relate,” Benjamin said. 

A total of 107 primary and secondary school teachers from across the six education regions were nominated.  Twenty-nine persons were selected as regional semi-finalists; however, only 16 advanced to the regional finals from which five were chosen for the national finals. 

Each national finalist was observed teaching a mathematics lesson and was assessed by a panel of elite judges.  The candidate’s scores were weighted and totaled to determine the 2016 Mathematics Teacher of the Year. 

Dr Renee Rattray, Director of Education Programmes at the JN Foundation, which is a major sponsor for the event, said it was important that mathematics became a critical component in the creative process. 

“It is important that mathematics comes alive. The quality of the teacher is one of the most important and significant variables in student performance,” Rattray said.  

In the photograph Mr McLeod (centre) celebrates the occasion with Dr Maurice Smith (left), Permanenet Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Dr Renee Rattray, Director of EDucation Programmes at JN Foundation, sponsor of the Mathematics Teacher of the Year Award

 Students at Holy Trinity High School in Central Kingston are singing a new song.

“Before students joined the school choir, teachers and parents had complained about their bad behavior,” recounted Andrew Coley, music instructor at the school for 20 years. He reported that since their participation in the choir students’ attire and speech have improved as a result of the discipline that accompanies music education.

Jahnice Solomon invited her school mate Markia Kirkland to join the choir just over one year ago. Both girls are now lead singers in the group that have been invited to perform locally and overseas. “Whenever I sing it makes me feel better. It has opened my mind to see the world in a totally different light. Music has helped to put my mind at ease especially when I am doing my school work,” Solomon said. 

Belting out a rendition from reggae legend Bob Marley’s ‘Redemption Song’, their melodious voices filled the small but manageable space currently being used as the music room.  Redemption Song was released in 1980 on Bob Marley and the Wailers ‘Uprising’ album.  Aspiring to be an internationally acclaimed singer, Kirkland said singing brings her peace. “Whenever I am singing I feel myself in a different world. I feel so relaxed and I am able to enjoy my performance,” she said. 

Shekiana Russell loves to sing the Marley rendition as it has kept her motivated. She disclosed that it has been hard on her mother to provide for the family and the song helps to put her mind at a place whereshe will not become enslaved by her circumstances. “Singing makes me happy. I give less trouble and I am able to focus on my school work and what is important,” Russell said. 

Coley said he has managed to keep the group motivated by sharing his life experiences with them. “We find the talent and we try to enhance it. I tell them they can go anywhere and perform and use their God given talent to improve their lives,” he recounted. 

“They know I am very strict. I sit and talk with them first and I outline my expectations of them. Those that are unable to adhere to the requirements normally leave,” Coley added.  

Holy Trinity High School, named after the Holy Trinity Cathedral, was formerly St Anthony’s Senior School. It is a Catholic institution that was established by the Franciscan Sisters at West Street in Kingston in the late- 1940s. The school was later relocated to Orange Street where it operated under the leadership of the Sisters of Mercy responsible for Alpha Academy.

In 1953, the school was relocated to properties owned by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kingston at 18 Emerald Road (now George Headley Drive), the home of the world-famous Sabina Park cricket ground.

In 1995 the school was renamed – Holy Trinity Comprehensive High School – and admitted its first batch of Common Entrance students. In 2000 the school was again renamed Holy Trinity High School in keeping with the Ministry of Education’s policy of upgrading all Comprehensive High Schools.

Photo Caption

Shekiana Russell (left) Jahnice Solomon (2nd left) Brittney Sylvester (right) and Markia Kirkland (2nd right) form the quartet as part of the music group at the Holy Trinity High School. These young ladies belt out the tune from reggae legend Bob Marley’s ‘Redemption Song’ 

Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid (centre), Minister of Education, Information and Youth views a schedule of his activities for the week along with Mr Floyd Green (right), Minister of State and Dr Maurice Smith Permanent Secretary. The Ministers spent their first day (March 8) in office being briefed by divisional and agency heads in the education system.

Senior managers in the Ministry of Education and support staff of outgoing minister, Ronald Thwaites held a farewell reception for him at the ministry’s head office at National Heroes Circle in Kingston on Friday (March 4, 2016). Members of staff expressed appreciation to Mr Thwaites and advisers Dr Franklin Johnston and Mr Radley Smith for their contribution to the advancement of Education. In his farewell remarks Minister Thwaites committed to continue supporting education from within Parliament. He advised the ministry’s management to welcome and support the new minister as they did for him in 2012. In the photograph from left Mrs Marcia Thwaites joins husband Ronald in accepting a farewell gift from Arlene Williams, Director of Executive Services, while Permanent Secretary Dr Maurice Smith and Chief Education Officer Dr Grace McLean share the moment.