THE EDITOR, Sir:

Once more the nation languishes as the woeful performance in CSEC mathematics continues unabated.

The results, mourning, post-mortem, blame game and commitments to address the situation are ritually sung to the same melody, a more obscure rhythm and unsteady tempo, with a waywardly dissonant harmony.

However, to give any devil his/her due, I hasten to point out that one bar in this irritable musical piece, in terms of lyrics, did eke out some hope. This is about what should be happening at the primary level.

The mourners, in particular, should consider the following:

1. Is it logical to think of a mathematics culture?

2. Can there be a mathematics culture?

3. Does a maths culture exist anywhere in the world?

4. Would a mathematics culture effectively address Jamaica's calamity in the subject?

5. Does a maths culture exist in Jamaica?

6. Do Jamaicans speak of a mathematics culture?

7. Would Jamaicans be interested in cultivating a mathematics culture?

8. Can Jamaicans cultivate a mathematics culture?

9. Would a mathematics culture positively impact Jamaica socially, even economically?

10. Is Jamaica benefiting from something like a sports culture?

These questions are indicative of the nature of the response that is needed to holistically address the existing situation. Quick fixes are perpetually recommended and sometimes implemented but do not yield the expected results. All the general and specific, year-in and year-out recommendations constitute nothing more than a superstructure that gives an occasional period of relief at the expense of dire frustration.

As a nation, we have already envisaged the superstructure and may have somewhat put the cart ahead of the horse, but all is not lost. We must now envisage and build the base structure. The definition of this base structure, or mathematics culture, will appear soon in my next publication with Kindle Direct Publishing and may be accessed at: https://www.amazon.com/author/hensleypink.

HENSLEY PINK

h_s_pink@yahoo.com