Education
Transformative math opportunity for TCI; Singapore style is coming
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, January 23, 2023 – Come February 9th teachers and parents in the Turks and Caicos will have an opportunity to begin the process of revolutionizing math education for our students residents thanks to a one on one with the “Micheal Jordan of Math’ Dr. Yeap Ban Har; regionally acclaimed for bringing Singapore Math for Students to the Caribbean region.
The event, born of a collaboration between Ashley’s Learning Centre and the Ministry of Education, will span two days and will expose TCI educators to the math teaching skills that cemented Singapore as one of the top countries in Mathematics globally.
Ban Har is hailed as an expert.
Kitts Cadette, in speaking to Magnetic Media recounted a conversation she had with the mathematician where he said, “You know when students are doing A-levels and you have to choose subjects and you choose one subject that you know you’re going to pass quite easily— in Singapore for students who do A-levels the easy subject is math.”
It’s a veritable 180 shift for us in the Caribbean where that sort of proficiency in math is hard to imagine. An educational consultant with four decades of experience in teaching and over six years of experience with bringing Singapore Math to the Caribbean, Cadette has seen firsthand what the method can do for regional countries.
She is now campaigning along with the staff of Ashley’s Learning Center in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos to get as many people proficient in the program as possible.
“This is a workshop for teachers, principals, ministry officials, curriculum officers, lecturers— We started the workshops in 2017, we have done Trinidad, we have done Barbados and other places. What we have seen is a different approach in terms of the way teachers execute math instruction. I have qualitative data from teachers who have attended past workshops that there has been improvement in the way they approach teaching math and as a
result their children are better able to understand the concepts.”
Cadette said that schools which had experienced the sessions would shut school down for the day when the possibility of another session came around in order to allow all staff members to fully take part. She explains though that the program was is not a ‘magic bullet’ or easy fix for bettering math performances, rather it offered teaching strategies that could create a new mindset in teachers leading to preferred results.
“At the primary level every teacher teaches math, now unless the TCI is different from any other country, math is the subject most feared by students and teachers. Math is the subject teachers feel least competent in and so when they teach it, they teach it as they learnt it.”
This is what the workshop is trying to change.
“We know that there are challenges here in the Turks and Caicos with math and the challenges are evident based on the results of exit exams”
She maintained with this in mind it was doubly important to change our approach to one that actually works especially as the globe speeds towards a more tech related future.
“There is a lack of enthusiasm to teach–’ she acknowledged. “But to transform there has to be an enthusiasm, there has to be a spark. It is critical that efforts are made to have children really engaged in math.”
Even with all of the evidence that it works there needs to be collaboration to get the best results possible Cadette says it takes a system with politicians, policymakers, teachers and other stakeholders coming on board.
“The approaches and strategies are working but it isn’t only a matter of strategy we have to look at what are the policies in place– is there going to be adequate clinical supervision to ensure that it is properly implemented in our classrooms? It has to be a system wide attack.” she said.
“This is not a one day workshop that you come to for two days and math in the Turks and Caicos changes immediately– not all of us are mathematicians but as teachers and as parents there are some basic ways that we can improve the skills that we have.” she explained; maintaining that the workshop was a powerful start. Cadette emphasized the breadth of Ban Har’s commitment to take the multi day trip to the TCI for only two days and made a final call for everyone to take advantage of it.
“We hope that we will get the best kind of support from the TCI. We are trying to encourage as many people as possible to attend but we know that it will make a difference. We know people will leave energized.”
As for Ashley’s Learning Centre, Cadette said they realized that their reach could be far beyond the walls of their own institution and this ‘was an attempt to do just that’.
To be held February 9-11; register with event@ashleylearningcenter.org.
KINGSTON, May 1 (JIS):
Ground has been broken at the tuition-free Christel House at Twickenham Park, St. Catherine, for the construction of a high school.
Minister of Education and Youth, Hon. Faval Williams, who delivered the keynote address at the site, today (May 1), said Christel House’s dedication to breaking the cycle of poverty and empowering vulnerable children is “nothing short of inspiring”.
“Your decision to invest in Jamaica speaks volumes about your belief in our nation’s potential, and your dedication to making a meaningful difference in the lives of our youth is appreciated,” Minister Williams said.
She added that the partnership between the Government and the organisation, forged through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2019, is a “prime example” of what can be achieved when public and private entities come together with a shared vision and purpose.
Further, the Minister said a foundation is being laid for a brighter future, one where every child has the opportunity to thrive and fulfil their potential, regardless of their circumstances.
She said that Christel House Jamaica, which now operates a kindergarten school at the location, will in time be more than just a school.
“It will be a symbol of optimism, a sanctuary of learning, and a catalyst for positive change in our community,” the Minister said.
“By providing comprehensive support, including education, nutrition, healthcare, and mentorship, Christel House will empower students to break free from the chains of poverty and chart a course towards a better tomorrow,” she added.
Mrs. Willliams said the shared goal between the Administration and Christel House extends beyond the construction of a building, as it is about nurturing the next generation of leaders, innovators, and change-makers who will shape the destiny of the nation.
“Together, we are sowing the seeds of prosperity, equity, and social justice, ensuring that no child is left behind,” she said.
The school provides breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack, as well as transportation for children living far distances from the school. It also provides uniforms and textbooks, and counselling services for its students who have to contend with psychological and other emotional issues.
Founder of Christel House International, Christel Dehaan, emigrated from Germany to the United States (US) in 1962, and was an accomplished businesswoman.
In 1996, she sold her global enterprise, Resort Condominiums International (RCI), which had offices in 38 countries, and devoted her resources to philanthropic work from her headquarters in North Meridian Street, Indianapolis.
With support from dedicated donors, schools are run in India, Jamaica, Mexico, South Africa, and the US.
CONTACT: GARFIELD L. ANGUS
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, and Sport
#TurksandCaicos, May 2, 2024 – Sandals Corporate University is now an official partner of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) and the two will be working together to create hospitality specific courses to equip students.
During the MOU signing on April 29, Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, and Sport, explained the process, describing it as a visionary initiative,
“Through this collaboration TCICC and SCU will jointly develop and implement training content tailored specifically to the needs of the hospitality industry covering crucial areas such as rooms, food and beverage service, field management, watersports and technical and mechanical training.”
The Minister explained that the custom-made curriculum would also be enriched further by experts from Sandals and Beaches Resorts via guest lectures.
In addition to that up to 100 TCICC interns will be placed at Sandals Resorts for experience annually; lecturers at the TCICC will also be given resort experience periodically to make sure that they’re using the most modern teaching methods.
“This is not just a formal agreement but a shared commitment to the future of our people both young and seasoned; and the robust growth of our hospitality and tourism industry,” Taylor said.
She was backed up by Adam Stewart, Chairman of Sandals Group International
“You will have 100% support from my office,” he promised
Adam Stewart, Chairman of Sandals Group International
Stewart who flew in for the event explained that the idea for a joint teaching space had come about over a lunch of conch chowder with TCI officials, including the Governor, only months earlier.
”The best thing you can do for the people of the Caribbean has got to be education. We have seen time and time again, division by division and island by island across the Caribbean, where we invest in people, we see [returns],” Stewart said.
He highlighted that SCU is the first hotel-led Corporate University in the Western Hemisphere and now connected to the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC). Beaches Turks and Caicos is the largest hospitality employer in the country and is currently understaffed and in need of hundreds more workers.
“I’ve never seen an MOU come together faster, I’ve never seen the private in public it to work together in [such] a way which to me signals how serious this is,” Stewart said.
The MOU was signed by Dr Luz Longsworth (on behalf of Sandals) witnessed by Stewart and Washington Misick, TCI Premier.
Attending the event was a host of dignitaries including Dileeni Daniel Selvaratnam, TCI Governor, Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier and Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development, Josephine Connollly, Minister of Tourism, other ministers, TCICC executives and Sandals officials.
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