Gov't to increase funding for Mathematics specialists

The Ministry of Education says it will be increasing financial allocations to schools to address the challenges of teaching mathematics at the primary and secondary levels.

Education minister Ronald Thwaites made the announcement while addressing yesterday’s launch of mathematics week under the theme :Mathematically Charged: Empowered for Life’.

Thwaites says the increased allocation will assist with ensuring that sufficient math specialists are placed in the schools which currently show signs of weakness.

He noted that only nine per cent of secondary school teachers are qualified to teach mathematics up to grade 11, and 31 per cent of primary teachers are not adequately qualified to teach the subject.

He also says 615 primary schools currently need support, as they are attaining less than 50 per cent mastery at the grade four level, and 132 high schools are identified as having a critical mathematics deficit.

The education minister adds that young people have a fear for mathematics, which must be addressed, for the advancement of the subject and the development of the nation.

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