Student achievement in mathematics at John Rollins Success Primary School in St James was not always a subject that could be discussed with pride.

But this was before the introduction of the Calculation Time programme in 2011.The initiative, which is a collaborative effort between the governments of Japan and Jamaica, is designed to improve students’ knowledge and appreciation of mathematics using songs, toys, workbooks and domino cards to make the subject less intimidating. For 15 minutes per day over 90 days, students from grades one to six are immersed in the innovative method of teaching the subject.Since its introduction, the students’ ability to solve mathematics problems with greater speed and accuracy has significantly improved at all levels, particularly in the Grade Four Numeracy Test and the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT).During a recent ceremony where the 15 highest ranking schools based on Calculation Time tests were awarded, principal Yvonne Miller-Wisdom reported that mastery in the Grade Four Numeracy Test was to 60 per cent in 2016, up from 30 per cent in 2010.“We intend to continue to execute the Calculation Time programme with the intention of achieving 100 per cent mastery,” she noted.In terms of GSAT, the principal said the number of students scoring more than 90 per cent in the subject area has also increased.“The GSAT students performed above the national average in mathematics in 2016. While the national average was 57 per cent, the school’s average was 65 per cent,” she boasted.But the achievements did not stop there. In 2016, John Rollins Success Primary was declared the champion school in the region four Mathematics Olympics, copping 12 trophies.“The students have succeeded in other mathematics competitions, as well, which includes the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mathematics Olympiad in 2013, which saw two students in grades five and six receiving honorary mention. This means that the two students performed among the top three per cent in the island,” Miller-Wisdom pointed out.In 2014, the school was ranked among the top-10 performing primary institutions in St James.“John Rollins Success Primary School is one of the schools that pioneered the implementation of the Calculation Time programme. Today, I stand a proud principal because of the successful impact the programme has made on the performance of the students in mathematics,” she said.She noted that the students were actively engaged in the sessions, and added that the programme allows for self-regulation, friendly rivalry, fun, as well as improvement in fact fluency.“The white card with the black dots, workbooks, the Calculation Time theme song and the activities allow the students to develop speed and accuracy in calculating,” she pointed out.Speaking to the genesis of the programme, education officer Seymour Hamilton said it was introduced as a response to the need for students to develop mental prowess when working with numbers.He noted that the programme started in seven schools, and only at the grade-three level. It was later expanded to 20 schools and opened to grades one through six. Calculation Time is now being implemented in 91 schools.At the awards function, the Japanese-owned Marubeni Caribbean Power, which is the parent company of Jamaica Public Service, presented $100,000 to each institution to purchase learning resources and equipment to improve the teaching and learning of maths.Minister of Education, Youth and Information Ruel Reid applauded the partnership between the two countries, and noted that the electricity will require a reservoir of quality trained personnel, so it is in the company’s best interest to invest in a programme of mathematics.President and Chief Executive Officer of Marubeni Caribbean Power Inc Tatsuya Ozono said the company was pleased to support education in Jamaica, and commended the Japanese Embassy and the Japan International Cooperation Agency for continuing the programme.Ozono encouraged the students to value the subject of mathematics, explaining that it is the language that drives science.“It is quite a useful tool to find a logical solution when you face problems. I wish that you will work hard and enjoy the art of science,” he said.Calculation Time is now available in the form of an app at goo.gl/aSuP71 and is accessible to all students at the primary level.