According to the Jamaica Ministry of Education National Mathematics Policy Guidelines, only 17% of students in Jamaica passed the traditional high school math exam between 2001 and 2011. That means that most Jamaicans have not obtained a complete high school education. To compare, the majority of Americans in the labor force have gone beyond high school. Everyone knows that Jamaica can do better by its students.
Math skills are the gateway to many high paying careers and economic development of the country as a whole. Once students learn math, they can be trained in virtual services (such as math tutoring) which can be marketed on the internet so the people of Jamaica can earn incomes from overseas without ever leaving Jamaica.
Reggae Math Foundation has been formed to find great math teachers and share their actual classes on video. Students can watch these lessons presented by the best educators in the field, giving them the chance to excel.
Reggae Math is fundraising from July 18-August 16 on Indiegogo’s Generosity platform to raise funds to film and share two exemplary high school math teachers (from Campion and St. George’s).
Imagine…in 10 years, Jamaicans could be earning more money, working flexible hours that virtual services allow from their home and all because people started learning math en masse. While some may succeed in life without math, Jamaica cannot achieve a standard of living with a decent health care and education system if the majority of the country is not educated to at least the high school level.
Reggae Math Foundation believes that by sharing the ACTUAL classes of great Jamaican teachers, many students will have resources they need to learn math and take advantage of global opportunities via the internet. Learn more about what we are doing and how you can contribute at https://www.reggaemathfoundation.org/
About the Author
Dr. Linda Bailey-McWeeney is the Executive Director of Reggae Math Foundation, an economist, and an educator. She has been an Assistant Professor at Baruch College, City University of New York and an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Economics at College of Staten Island, City University of New York, Yeshiva University, and Wagner College. She has a Ph.D. in Economics from Michigan State University.
