Ministry of Education receives donations to improve students’ mathematical skills

The Ministry of Education, on February 28, received a donation which should assist them with their efforts to improve students’ performance in mathematics.{{more}}

“We have been working very hard at mathematics,” Minister of Education and Deputy Prime Minister Girlyn Miguel said.

She was at the time speaking at the handover of more than US$1 million worth in education material, which will be distributed across the various secondary and primary schools in the country.

The donation was made possible through the collaborative effort of a group based in the United States, the Global Literacy Project and the Rotary Club South.

The idea for the donation originated with Denniston Bonadie, a Vincentian and member of the US group. According to Grenville Williams, president of the Rotary Club South, Bonadie realized there were a number of areas, particularly in education, that needed some support.

“As a result he coordinated with a number of persons to gather material,” he said.

The items collected have a particular focus on mathematics and the Arts.

“He looked at maths because he realized that there were some challenges in a particular area and that any assistance given can certainly lend to the further development and enhancement of the student capacity and capability in this area,” Williams continued.

“He (Bonadie) is keen to engage in a non-profit organisation and we are pleased to partner with him,” the Rotary Club South President said.

This is the second such donation, following the arrival of a quantity of items relating to science.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education Nicole Bonadie Baker said that these kits were provided to all schools across the country, especially those where a science laboratory was not present.

The task was now with Michelle Cuffy, Director of Library Services, and her staff to catalogue and classify the 27,000 items and get them ready to be distributed to the various schools.

“When we have finished the cataloguing and classification of these items, all material will be placed in secondary and primary schools so that all of our students can have access to this material,” Cuffy said.

She further explained that the national library was embarking on a number of initiatives, including book and homework clubs, so that all the material received would be put to use to further develop the minds of the young people of St Vincent and the Grenadines. (DD)