Guyana establishes national taskforce to improve mathematics performance

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – The Ministry of Education in Guyana has established a National Mathematics Taskforce aimed at improving mathematics performance across schools nationwide and developing a long-term strategy to strengthen how the subject is taught.

Education Minister Sonia Parag announced the initiative during the taskforce’s first meeting at the National Centre for Education and Research Development.

The taskforce includes mathematics specialists from across Guyana and has been tasked with examining performance trends at all school levels while developing sustainable solutions to improve student outcomes.

Parag said improving mathematics education must begin with teacher training and classroom delivery, noting that some teachers possess strong subject knowledge but struggle with instruction, while others can teach effectively but lack deep content mastery.

“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,” Parag said.

The minister said the strategy would also focus on helping students better understand mathematics rather than relying on memorisation and exam preparation alone.

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

Parag also pointed to psychological barriers that discourage many students from engaging confidently with mathematics and stressed the importance of literacy in improving performance in the subject.

She announced that the ministry will introduce national literacy assessments in Grades Two and Four to ensure students develop strong reading and comprehension skills from an early stage.

Among the recommendations discussed by educators were national mathematics competitions, mathematics clubs, weekly evaluations, classroom “maths walls” displaying formulas and theories, and interactive learning activities designed to make the subject more engaging.

The education minister acknowledged that poor mathematics performance is a global issue but said Guyana must take decisive action to improve national outcomes.

“This is not a Guyana problem; poor maths performance is affecting the entire world, but we must do what we can to stop it here,” she said.

The minister said the final strategy would involve consultations with teachers and school leaders across all administrative regions before implementation.

She also called for stronger parental involvement and school leadership, saying improving mathematics education would require collaboration among the ministry, teachers, parents, and students.

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.