MORE than 200 teachers of mathematics in primary schools are to benefit from a series of development workshops, geared at enhancing competence in the subject.

The sessions have been organised by the Ministry of Education, with support from the Seprod Group of Companies.

The workshop for Region 1 was held on April 10, while sessions for Regions 2, 5 and 6 are scheduled for May 1, 2, and 8, respectively.

Giving details at the launch of the Butterkist National Primary Schools Mathematics Competition at the Courtleigh Hotel in New Kingston this week, marketing/sales manager of the Seprod Group Limited, Marcia Kitson-Walters, said the sessions will be recorded and the material given to the Ministry for distribution.

Kitson-Walters noted that sponsorship of the workshop and the mathematics competition forms part of the company’s support for the development of the subject across the island.

This year’s competition will be held on Wednesday, May 21, with some 300 primary schools expected to participate.

The Butterkist Mathematics Competition was started in 1992 to encourage excellence in the subject at the primary level, and to prepare students to better handle math when they begin high school.

The prize-giving ceremony is scheduled for June 20. The top student will be awarded the Butterkist Primary School Mathematics Scholarship, worth $50,000, among other prizes. There will also be special awards for the champion in each parish as well as for the teachers.