October 15th, 2013 -- Education Minister Dr. Jacqui Quinn-Leandro believes the time has come for alternative methods to be used in the teaching of mathematics, in an effort to stem the continued poor performances by students in the subject area.
While students are excelling in most subjects at the CSEC level, mathematics remains problematic, and has become a worrying issue for educators within the Caribbean.
Declaring open the 23rd meeting of the OECS Ministers of Education on Monday, Dr. Jacqui Quinn-Leandro told her counterparts that tailoring the mathematics curriculum may be necessary; to meet the practical needs of the average student and the job market.
“So just as we have students opting for Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Integrated Science; perhaps there might be some merit in the suggestion by both a fourth and fifth former who said to me two nights ago; why not offer algebra, geometry and arithmetic as disaggregated and separate subject areas. Out of the mouths of babes.”
The minister has urged her OECS colleagues and stakeholders to lessen the talk shop and do more, especially where mathematics and the performances of boys are concerned.
“I challenge us to begin to look at creative and practical methods of educating our boys in the ways that they can learn and not try to fit them into a one-size-fits-all education system. I am heartened that we are now seeing the critical significance of TVET and Information technology as not merely an alternative path but as equal to academic competencies,” she said.
“It is important that we remove that great divide between academic and vocational curricula; and build on students’ strengths as opposed to judging them on their weaknesses. A one- size-fits-all education system de-motivates our students, demoralizes them and alienates them, telling them that TVET does not have a value equivalent to academic education.”
Dr. Jacqui Quinn-Leandro said the 23rd meeting of OECS Ministers of Education is an opportunity for policy makers to make a difference in the tapestry of the education systems of the region, and ultimately its human, social and economic development.
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