THE EDITOR, Sir:
FOR A long time government blamed the poor performance in Language Arts Education on children and not the system. Finally, government has started to assume greater responsibility for children's failure in this area by making a distinct effort to improve the learning environment of Primary Schools. In the not too distant future, such a move will start to bear fruit.
I am of the view that we need to change our approach to Mathematics education in Jamaica with a special emphasis on a new and improved approach to Primary Mathematics education.
It cannot be that we are giving our Primary School children a firm foundation in Mathematics yet over 70 per cent of them fail that subject at the CXC level. Primary Schools need Mathematics specialists come September 2002.
It is high time that the government begin to treat a subject that is compulsory in school and required for entry to many tertiary level programmes with a much higher regard.
I am, etc.,
HUGH ANDERSON BLAIR
Kingston
