JUST over 150 students preparing for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) mathematics examination next month turned out over the weekend for classes hosted by People’s National Party (PNP) Portland Eastern caretaker, Damion Crawford.

Classes, which began at 10:00 am and ended at 6:00 pm, were held at Port Antonio High, Titchfield High, and Fellowship Primary and Junior High in the constituency on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

Crawford had pledged to host the classes during the campaign leading up to the April 4 by-election in which he was defeated by the Jamaica Labour Party’s Ann-Marie Vaz.

He said students were assisted in areas such as simultaneous equations, trigonometry, geometry, fractions, quadratics, vectors and matrices, and factorisation when he spoke to the Jamaica Observer North & East last week.

He also said the classes have been good so far.

Crawford, who last week returned to the Senate, is also set to host ‘Mommy and me’ classes in the constituency, along with his Verandah Basic programme.

The Verandah Basic programme is an initiative aimed at helping the residents of Portland Eastern with literacy, as Crawford believes that education is the key to getting out of poverty.

“This is where people in the community who are able to read volunteer to take persons into their homes on a weekend in an effort to improve their reading,” Crawford said.

The Mommy and me programme, which is geared towards a Primary Exit Profile (PEP) preparation class, is expected to give both the parent and child an opportunity to learn.

“After the classes, the mothers will be able to assist their children. Wherever the children fall short, the mothers will be able to pick up and help,” Crawford said.