Guyana launches national push to improve mathematics

Guyana’s Education Ministry has launched a national initiative aimed at reversing poor mathematics performance in schools, with officials signalling changes to both teaching methods and student assessment.

Education Minister Sonia Parag announced the creation of a National Mathematics Taskforce during its inaugural meeting at the National Centre for Education and Research Development. The body comprises mathematics specialists from across the country and will examine performance trends while designing long term solutions to improve results.

Parag said weaknesses in mathematics education stem partly from gaps in teaching delivery and subject mastery among educators.

“You have teachers who have the knowledge, but they don’t know how to deliver; you have teachers who can deliver, but they don’t have the knowledge,” she said.

The minister stressed that students should be encouraged to understand mathematical concepts rather than rely on memorisation to pass examinations.

“We need to rethink whether we’re teaching children to understand mathematics or teaching them to memorise just to pass an exam,” Parag added.

She also linked mathematics performance to literacy, announcing plans for national literacy assessments in Grades Two and Four to strengthen reading and comprehension skills.

Educators involved in the discussions proposed mathematics clubs, national competitions, weekly assessments and interactive classroom activities to make learning more engaging.

Parag noted that declining mathematics performance is a global concern but insisted Guyana must act decisively. She said consultations with teachers and school leaders across all regions would help shape the final strategy before implementation.

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