Just in case there are some Anguillian teachers who don’t like the subject, University of the West Indies Numeracy Education Consultant, Dr. Coreen Leacock, told them “Math is fun”.
The event was a five-day Numeracy Development Workshop from December 7 to 11 at the National Emergency Operations Centre Conference Room. The content of the workshop included: knowing what to teach and how; exploring problem-solving; exploring concepts of number and operations and assessment; exploring concepts of measurement; exploring geometric figures and relationships; and guidelines for a written paper.
“I know there are a lot of people who don’t like, and are afraid of, math and some of them are teachers,” Dr. Leacock told the primary school teachers of Grades 4 to 6. “I hope that by the end of this week you will all be anxious for the new term to begin so that you can try out your new information with your students. We need new methods and ideas, and I am hoping that by the end of the week you will have some – or at least a starting point. Don’t be afraid of math. Math is fun and getting your students interested in mathematics can be fun… I hope you will develop among yourselves a community of math teachers who can rely on each other, and that you can network and have that kind of support as you go into the classroom next term.”
Mrs. Dawn Reid, Education Services Planner, and Acting Permanent Secretary, said at the opening ceremony that improving performance in math, science and technology was one of the five key areas for focus, and priority, during the period 2010 to 2015 under Anguilla’s Education Development Plan. She continued:
“It was deemed critical based on an assessment of student performance at both primary and secondary level, and the low level of students who progress in these areas beyond the CSEC level. In an era where analytical know-how and innovation lead the world, it is important that we, as an education system, stay abreast with changes in modern technology and provide our students for what lies ahead. [This is to ensure] that they are not left behind and have a level playing field in this regard.
“Encompassed in this priority of improving performance in math, science and technology are several strategies, but one fundamental aspect is the improvement of numeracy skills which form the foundation of the other aspects. We define numeracy as the ability to process, interpret and communicate numerical, quantitative, spatial, statistical and mathematical information in ways that are appropriate for a variety of context.
“During the implementation of the Education Development Plan 2010 to 2015, when improved performance in math was not imminent, it became necessary for certain systems to be put in place in order to ensure that best efforts were made towards improvement. These include efforts towards the development of a Numeracy Development Policy which began in January 2014 with the establishment of a Numeracy Committee to spearhead this process.”
Mrs. Reid said that the Numeracy Policy was nearing completion. She named the members of the Committee as being herself in her capacity as, Education Services Planner as chairperson; Ms. Sandra Fahie, Education Officer, Curriculum; Mrs. Janice McKeag-Richardson, TVET Coordinator; Mrs. Lori Rae-Franklin, Chief Statistician; Ms. Tameka Fleming, Deputy Director, Internal Audit; Ms. Allison Hughes, retired Principal and Math Teacher; and Dr. Brett Hodge. Two other members, left Anguilla during the course of this year – Mr. Vijay Sharma, Curriculum Officer, Math; and Mr. Damien Lloyd of ANGLEC.
Dr. Phyllis Fleming-Banks, Manager of the UWI Open Campuses in the British Overseas Territories in the Caribbean, who has been working with the Ministry and Department of Education in Anguilla in planning the workshop, was another speaker. “The UWI Open Campus in Anguilla in particular is very pleased to partner with the Ministry of Education and the Government of Anguilla to deliver this numeracy workshop this week,” she said. “We are particularly delighted to have our colleague, Dr. Coreen Leacock, from the School of Education at the Cave Hill Campus, to deliver the sessions. Dr. Leacock is no stranger to Anguilla, and to teachers and education officials here, as she is also involved in the Joint Board of Teachers Education in the Eastern Caribbean.”
Dr. Fleming-Banks was also pleased that Anguillian veteran Mathematician 
and former Principal, Mr. Darvin Hazell, was assisting Dr. Leacock in conducting the workshop.
Mrs. Lori-Rae-Franklin, who chaired the opening ceremony, wished the teachers a very productive week and much success in the workshop.
