During summer 2025, the initiative rolled out through a series of in-person workshops in St. Mary, Clarendon, St. James, and Kingston. The sessions focused on six CSEC topics that students consistently find most challenging: trigonometry, transformations, vectors, circle geometry, functions, and matrices. Teachers attending the workshops received specially designed booklets and digitised lesson plans to support ongoing learning and classroom application.

A key feature of the initiative is sustainability. Teachers are encouraged to form Mathematics Communities of Practice (COPs) within their schools, enabling them to mentor colleagues, share strategies, and foster collaborative networks across parishes. Academic staff from UWI’s Department of Mathematics provide guidance and oversight, helping ensure that the impact of the workshops continues long after they conclude.

The programme also complements wider STEM-focused initiatives. It connects with UWI’s “Walking in Her Footsteps STEM Mentorship Programme”, which inspires students—particularly girls—to pursue careers in STEM fields. Additionally, the programme supports the Special Mathematics Olympiad, Jamaica’s first national competition for students with disabilities, broadening opportunities for excellence in mathematics.

Project lead Dr. Marvadeen Singh-Wilmot emphasized the foundational role of mathematics, describing it as “the indispensable language of development,” vital for evidence-based policymaking, poverty reduction, and building climate resilience. Dr. Sam McDaniel, another UWI lecturer involved in the programme, noted that teachers left the workshops energized and confident, signaling positive outcomes for their students.

UNICEF’s Deputy Representative Mohammad Mohiuddin highlighted the equity-driven nature of the initiative, ensuring that students of all genders and socio-economic backgrounds can access high-quality mathematics instruction. Dr. Rebecca Tortello, UNICEF education specialist, added that the EM² (Empowered Maths Mastery) programme is helping to build teacher confidence while transforming classrooms into more interactive, student-centered learning environments.

The initiative has also received accreditation from the Jamaica Teaching Council, enabling participating teachers to earn professional development credits toward their appraisals. Dr. Lorna Thompson, Senior Education Officer and National Mathematics Coordinator at the Ministry of Education, praised the collaboration between UWI, UNICEF, and the Ministry, as well as the dedication of participating teachers.

Overall, the “Maths Mastery Push” is designed not just as a short-term intervention, but as a sustainable framework that strengthens teacher capacity, empowers students, and raises national performance in mathematics.

Photo caption: Dr. Sam McDaniel, Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science and Technology at The University of the West Indies, Mona, delivers an interactive lecture during the EM² Mathematics Intervention Workshop hosted at Oracabessa High School in St. Mary.