Ministry aiming to improve maths standards at secondary level
As part of its ongoing efforts to improve the standard of mathematics at the secondary level, the Ministry of Education (MoE) is continuing the implementation of the Guyana Secondary Education Improvement Project (GSEIP).
According to a MoE release, Focus Group sessions which began on Tuesday at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), were set to continue yesterday and would involve collaboration to enhance grades 7 to 11 Mathematics Content Standards for 21st Century proficiency in teaching and learning performance.
The Focus Group sessions will primarily target Head Teachers, Pre-service and in-service teachers, teacher educators, the mathematics technical group, the University of Guyana, CPCE, the National Centre for Education Resource Development and the Guyana Teachers Union. They are part of one component of the GSEIP which seeks to improve the performance in Mathematics at the secondary school level. According to Project Coordinator of the GSEIP, Jimmy Bhojedat, the Focus Group sessions are to test what has been developed so far by the consultant that has been engaged by the Ministry of Education.
He said that the Ministry had undertaken a consultancy to develop mathematics standards among teachers and working on the Mathematics Standards is just one avenue to improve the subject area. He noted that recently the Ministry completed an online platform which is an interactive space where mathematics teachers can assist each other.
Senior Education Officer (Secondary), Ameer Ali, said that this component of the GSEIP is to supplement and guide the process of how mathematics is taught in the classroom. He added that when the first draft of the Mathematics Standards is completed, there will be more focus group sessions and consultations conducted countrywide that will also involve members of the public.
The consultant working with the Ministry of Education on this component of the GSEIP, Dr Pier Angeli Junor Clarke said that after accepting the opportunity to work on the project, she assessed what currently obtains as it relates to performance standards, content standards and also what are the 21st century best practices.
The consultant’s assessment of the present content standards, highlighted some things that were good and others that were not so good. Being a Guyanese and a teacher educator at the Georgia State University, USA, Dr Clarke said that the project is close to her heart and she will be working closely with the Ministry of Education to produce the best product, the release added.