“Education Transformation: Elevating Mathematics Teaching and Learning”

I am honoured to welcome you all to The Mico University College for today’s launch of our National Mathematics Workshop. Today, we converge at the intersection of heritage and hope—at the oldest teacher training institution in the Western Hemisphere, now stepping boldly into the future of education, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

Let me begin by challenging you to agree with me on on this truth, that mathematics is the foundation of civilization and the bedrock of modern development. From the pyramids of Giza in Egypt to Stonehenge in England, and from the Great Wall of China to the dawn of artificial intelligence – mathematics has always been the invisible architect behind our greatest achievements as a species. It is the language of logic, the engine of innovation, and the pulse of progress.

Ladies and Gentlemen consider the bumble bee’s role in pollination – essential, but often unnoticed. However as a rural man I can tell you, the role is absolutely vital and mathematics is just like the bumble bee!  I am making this connection because the bee enables the flourishing of life through its quiet labour, just as mathematics pollinates every field of life: science, technology, engineering, commerce, banking, manufacturing, and even the arts. Also, just like the bee, teachers and educators  are the pollinators of national development.

Now I want to be clear. Senators, the National Mathematics Workshop is being launched partly in response to a crisis. It is a crisis that we must work together to confront head-on, that is, the fear of mathematics, and particularly so among boys. Any teacher of mathematics will tell you that It is a fear that cripples confidence, diminishes potential, and blocks the gateway to opportunity for so many of our students. 

If we are to rise as a nation, we must dismantle this fear and replace it with mastery—and that journey begins with our educators. So teachers, you must prepare to reverse a worrying trend. Only 36% of our nation’s students passed CSEC mathematics in 2024, down from the 43% who passed the examinations in 2023.

That is why this workshop is so important. That is why The Mico partnered with the Gore Family Foundation and the Council for Creative Education Finland, to demonstrate our commitment to this effort. At The Mico we wholeheartedly believe that  investing in our teachers is investing in the development of our nation. And our teachers of mathematics are among the most critical to a simple equation: There is a proven and powerful correlation between performance in mathematics and national development indicators. And ladies and gentlemen, the multiplier effect is real! If you examine the world’s leading economies, you will find consistent and sustained investment in education generally, but especially in STEM, teacher training and remuneration. These are investments that we must also make if Jamaica is to become one of the world’s robust economies. 

The Mico’s role then, is not just academic – it is transformational, and it is  grounded in the workshop’s theme: “Education Transformation: Elevating Mathematics Teaching and Learning,”. We are answering a national call and drawing best practices from international shores.

So we are privileged today to welcome a global expert from Finland’s Council for Creative Education – arguably the finest education system in the world. Mr. Heramb Kulkarni is also a proud son of India, a nation at the forefront of ICT and technological innovation. Colleagues over these three days you will benefit from the best of both worlds – Europe and Asia – as we learn and adapt globally validated strategies for app;ication or implementation here in Jamaica.

The Mico University College takes this responsibility very seriously. Alongside this workshop, we are about to begin training our third cohort of over 250 STEM scholars, including mathematics educators. We are also reaching out to qualified secondary graduates and urging them to pursue careers in math education. We are equipping our faculty and our classrooms with 21st-century tools and mindsets.

 With your help – with the support of parliamentarians and the government, the private sector, philanthropic partners, international experts, and most importantly, our passionate educators – we will do this.

Ladies and Gentlemen let today mark a turning point. Let it mark the moment Jamaica declared that we will no longer be defined by fear of mathematics but by our confidence, competence, and creativity in teaching it.

Let us build together. Let us teach boldly. Let us transform education—and elevate a nation.

Thank you