The mean performance for mathematics remains in the early 70s, both for the newly-introduced CPEA and the now-defunct Common Entrance Exam.

Education Minister Shawn Edward notes that students’ performances in Mathematics across the education sector are a concern for educators. He outlined that in this year’s budget, the Ministry of Education was allocated funds for improving its Mathematics instruction.

“Our performance in mathematics at all levels of the education system concerns not just me as the Minister for Education but also the Honourable Prime Minister himself, a mathematician of formidable repute. In a direct response to overcoming the challenges, Prime Minister Pierre has allocated $250,000 for strengthening mathematics instruction in schools,” the Education Minister said.

Since the approval of the budget in April, the relevant units in the Ministry of Education responsible for instruction have begun addressing teaching deficiencies.

“The Curriculum and Materials Development Unit, the Assessment Unit and the School Supervision Team have begun working closely to ensure that the necessary pedagogical interventions are made to address whatever deficiencies exist in the teaching and learning of mathematics,” the Minister explained.

Retired educators will also come on board to assist in developing a strategy for teaching mathematics on-island.

“Their efforts will be complemented by the services of retired educators who, during their time of practice, demonstrated mastery of the subject area and yielded results that will commensurate with their qualifications.”

This year, the mean pass rate for Maths at the CPEA level was 72.7% for boys and 73.47% for girls.