Antigua and Barbuda’s Math Conundrum
by Derrick Nicholas
The 2024 Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC) results are out. The official CXC statistics indicate that the region had an average pass rate of 36 per cent for Mathematics, or as one regional newspaper coined it a “64 Percent Rate of Failure”. While those figures are bad, Antigua and Barbuda continue to underperform when compared to its regional partners in one of the core subjects: Mathematics.
What is alarming is the deafening silence of parents, teachers and Ministry of Education officials on (i) acknowledging that there is a problem, and (ii) what remedial measures will be implemented to turnaround these less than desirable outcomes.
Instead, you are hearing how ‘much better’ Antigua and Barbuda performed in terms of the number of students who passed at least five (5) subjects, including Math and English A when compared with the rest of the region. They fail to address the growing problem that a large section of the student population simply cannot read, much less pass the mathematics exam.
It is this inability to read that is part of the problem that must be ‘fixed’ with some degree of urgency. Another contributor to the math conundrum is that students are ‘promoted’ without being able to understand the fundamentals of mathematics. In a previous article, I described the problem as a ‘real and present danger’. The sanctioned use of calculators at the primary level instead of more mental math is further compounding the problem. Students are not being taught to think critically. With the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), students are becoming more reliant on technology as opposed to developing their God given abilities. The current educational system is not preparing students who will be functionally literate in mathematics when they leave school.
This inability to apply critical thinking will spill over to every area of life: sports, education and places of work. Employers will find it difficult to retain employees who are incapable of applying critical thinking to their work. The time is ripe for the Ministry of Education to shift its focus from those who actually pass, and implement remedial measures that will stem the tide. This is not to say that we should not celebrate those who do well.
It is frightening to encounter students preparing to sit the CXC Math exam, and who are still struggling with fundamental concepts such as fractions, and measurements. Additionally, their inability to read makes it difficult for them to understand questions.
Finally, they do not practise, so their skills are not being actively sharpened. Closer attention needs to be paid to the results coming out of the Grade II and Grade IV National Assessments, with the necessary corrective action taken. We cannot wait until they enter secondary school, that is too late. We are setting up students to fail, and they will have difficulty in matriculating to college or university.
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unless you plan to become an engineer or math professor or other profession that requires depp mathematical skills, you dont use all the algebra, geometry and other BS they teach you in school……why STRESS OUT ppl pickney with all this nonsene invented by some ancient grey beard celibate dude?? Long as you can count ya money, u safe
I agree that Antigua and Barbuda and the entire region must take a different approach to the teaching of Maths. I do not think that the children are as bad as the results shows. The methodology and approach of teachers must be carefully looked at and assessed or we run the risk of a continued downward spiral in terms of annual Maths results. CXC and the regions Education policy makers must address this as a matter of urgency. The real outstanding Maths teachers in our era are either deceased or no longer in the educational system. We must address this now.
Just as a matter of information, Jamaica had lower passes in both Maths and English compared to last year.
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