MICO University College will tomorrow bring together some of the most respected researchers from around the world to participate in a conference designed to help the Caribbean overcome challenges to teaching

and learning science and mathematics.

The two-day event will be held at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston tomorrow and Tuesday, between 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.

“The conference is being called amidst alarming statistics in schools in the region and in particular Jamaica, which reveal that more than 60 per cent of students fail to receive grades one to three in mathematics while 85 per cent of 11th grade cohorts shy away from the three main science subjects,”

said a release from the institution.

Dr Albert Benjamin, chair of the conference planning committee and head

of the Natural Sciences Department at Mico, said Jamaica will be in serious trouble with its future development if the cycle of underperformance and a fear of these vital subjects persist.

“Almost every aspect of living is affected by advancements in science and technology and as a nation, we must act collectively to unravel the hindrances which exist to the way we approach the teaching and learning of science and mathematics,” he said in the release.

“Students will gravitate more to these subjects when the teachers themselves are able to deliver lessons on the subjects in a way that students will enjoy and understand that they need them to progress as productive citizens who can reason and function independently,” Benjamin added.

Through the conference, Mico aims to:

* examine the progress of science and mathematics education in the region;

* provide a forum for sharing best practices in the teaching and learning of science and mathematics in early childhood, primary, secondary and tertiary education;

* propose goals for science and mathematics teaching relevant to regional human development; and

* establish a permanent forum for sustainable regional collaboration in mathematics and science teaching and learning to foster innovation.

“The consultations and discussions planned will also be solutions-oriented and skewed towards making our teachers better equipped to impart the subject to their students,” the release noted.

The presenters coming to share their expertise in these subject areas and the steps which helped them to transform the teaching of math and science in their own countries include Dr Pasi Sahlberg, director general of the Centre for International Mobility and Co-operation in Helsinki, Finland.

He has global expertise in educational reforms, training teachers, coaching schools and advising policymakers and has worked as teacher, teacher-educator, policy adviser and director in Finland and served the World Bank (Washington, DC) and the European Commission (Torino, Italy) as education specialist.

Coming from India is Professor Sudhakar Argarkar, a professor at the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education. Among his research interests are the investigation of learning hurdles faced by the socially deprived students; development of remedial instructional strategy and studies concerning needs and requirements of the practising teachers in developing countries.

Dr Didacus Jules, a St Lucian national, is registrar and chief executive officer of the Caribbean Examinations Council. He has extensive experience in management, having worked as a management consultant, at the Arthur Lok Jack School of Business, the University of the West Indies, St Augustine; and as vice-president of human resources at what was then Cable & Wireless. He was also the inter-regional co-ordinator at International Literacy Support Service and resident consultant at the National Research and Development Foundation in St Lucia.

Other presenters include Professor Bernie Dodge from the University of San Diego and the leading expert on the use of smart phones for the teaching of math and science; Dr Christopher Emdin from Columbia University; Dr Alexander Porovsky from Russia as well as Dr Rose Pringle, Florida State University.

Professor Claude Packer, president of Mico University College and professor of mathematics education, will lead the Mico contingent of Professor Arnoldo Ventura, professor of science and technology, and their team of experts in the fields of science and mathematics.

The conference’s target group includes policymakers, principals, teachers

and educators.

At the end of the conference, Mico will package what is being called the ‘Jamaica Declaration’ to be presented to the Ministry of Education to provoke action on the way forward.