AS the Ministry of Education’s (MoE) National Mathematics Intervention Awareness Campaign continues its journey across Guyana, it has made a stop at the St. Ignatius Secondary School in Region Nine.

The campaign is a key pillar of the ministry’s broader strategy to improve academic performance nationwide, with an aim to address long-standing challenges in Mathematics, a subject critical to the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations and the academic futures of students.

According to the MoE’s press release, during her address, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand shared with students that only 13 per cent of their peers passed Mathematics last year.

Acknowledging the challenges faced, the Minister offered assurance that with the right tools, targeted efforts, and disciplined study habits, they could change the narrative.

As part of the campaign, each student was provided with essential tools to aid in their studies, including a scientific calculator, a geometry set, a graph book, a Mathematics textbook, and past papers organised by topic.

Minister Manickchand noted that these resources are not just handouts, explaining that, “They are tools designed to help you practise, become familiar with the types of questions you’ll encounter, and build your confidence so that when you walk into that examination room, you are fully prepared.”
A cornerstone of the campaign is the integration of the ministry’s Distance Learning Unit, particularly through the Guyana Learning Channel.

The ministry said that twice weekly, (Sunday and Tuesday), renowned educator, Leon Beaton, teaches Mathematics lessons that align with the CSEC syllabus. These lessons are also available on YouTube, giving students the flexibility to learn at their own pace.

“The tools and lessons we are providing are meant to complement the hard work of your teachers,” Minister Manickchand said. “If you engage with these lessons, complete the exercises, and follow your teachers’ guidance, I am absolutely certain you can pass these exams.”

The education minister emphasised the importance of daily practice in achieving success. “Every night, you must dedicate time to solving Mathematics problems. Repetition is the key to mastery. By the time you walk into your exam, you will recognise 50 to 55 out of 60 questions because you have solved them before. That familiarity can secure the 30 per cent needed to pass with ease,” she explained.

The release stated that the National Mathematics Intervention Awareness Campaign is one of several targeted initiatives by the Ministry of Education aimed at improving student outcomes. It complements efforts such as the Book Distribution Programme, which ensures students across Guyana have access to high-quality educational materials, and the National School Feeding Programme, which supports students’ overall well-being.

These initiatives, according to the MoE, align with the mission to make education more inclusive and accessible, ensuring that students in remote regions like Region Nine are not left behind.
The visit to St. Ignatius Secondary School underscores the ministry’s commitment to transforming education and empowering students to achieve their best. It also reflects the belief that, with the right support, every child has the potential to excel.