Lack of study time also a factor for students

Re: “Province is botching mathematics education,” comment, Feb. 18. I have to agree with some of what the author is saying: I work in a middle school and see many kids come into Grade 6 without the fundamentals of mathematics, times tables being a glaring deficiency. In my opinion, without times tables mastered, any child will struggle in all maths.

Let us not put the blame wholly on the education system, though. Most mornings, I see students rushing to do their homework in the 10 minutes before school, all copying off each other to get it completed.

When it’s not completed, they blame it on hockey, baseball, dance, soccer, lacrosse, etc. So many activities, so many excuses. Kids are falling asleep in class because they were up too late playing video games or on their phone, or up too early for hockey practice.

Something’s got to give. What I see giving is their education.

Education is the job of the ministry, but it’s also the job of a parent. Students need time at home to study, re-learn, process, do homework. The amount of time will increase in higher grades, because each grade gets harder, but they need time, undisturbed, and time to ask parents for help, and time to practise those fundamentals that require going over and over again, such as times tables.

Exchange one of your child’s activities for that one, and maybe the tutoring rates will decrease. I think it’s time to acknowledge we all play a role in our children’s education. Joanna Waterman Brentwood Bay