Janice Lewis - Elgin taylor photos

Elgin Taylor, Star Writer

Mention the word mathematics and it conjures up all kinds of images of giants and roadblocks in peoples' minds. But why is this so? Why is there such a fear towards this subject?

Janice Hillary Lewis, head of the mathematics department at Inswood High School in St. Catherine since 2001, says the problem stems from the kind of teaching that students were given in their earlier years.

"The science of mathematics should be taught from the standpoint of the practical experiences of the students," she opines. She said that the problem is exacerbated by the way in which examination bodies test for competence in the subject. She made this remark in reference to the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) syllabus for mathematics.

"Because of how the testing is done, it comes across as being an abstract subject, and this should not be the case," she lamented, adding she would like to see the syllabus reflect more of the everyday experiences of the students. She put forward the proposal that there should be several syllabi and that they should be based on the career choices of the students.

Eight years teaching

Lewis, 29, has been teaching mathematics for almost eight years. It started in September 1998 after graduating from Jose Marti Techical High, when she got her first job at McCooks Pen Primary in St. Catherine. Prior to this she attended Mico Teacher Training College (1995-1998) where she gained a diploma in teaching. At Mico she copped the Desnoes and Geddes and Grace- Kennedy Award for the teaching of mathematics. She is also a graduate of Northern Caribbean University (NCU) where she obtained a bachelors degree in math and biology. She is currently pursuing a Master of Education degree in math education at the University of the West Indies (UWI).

Lewis, who hails from Red Ground, St. Catherine, believes strongly in putting in place the right kind of strategies for the students the very first week they enter her classroom. "You need to do your testing and evaluation in order to determine their strengths and weaknesses," she told The Star.

This she advised should be followed by co-operative group learning. Each group member would be given special tasks and the leader should see to its completion. She strongly believes in manipulating things sourced from the environment.

Lewis revealed that the students' performance in CSEC mathematics is not at the level she would have liked. However, she believes that with time and studious application by staff and students, they will get there.