This research investigated the impact of using manipulatives on 56 Grade 5 students’ (27 male, 29 female; age 10-11 years) mathematics achievement. A quasi experimental, action research design was utilized in which the experimental group was taught selected topics from the Number strand using manipulatives during a 3-week intervention, while the control group’s instruction did not include the use of manipulatives. Data were collected using a pre- and post-test and analysed using descriptive statistics and a Mann-Whitney U test.

This qualitative study investigated the factors influencing the transition from teacher to principal, the challenges encountered, and the impact of mentorship and prior leadership experiences. A convenience sample of 20 newly appointed principals was interviewed. The factors which influenced smooth transitions included mentorship from former principals, previous leadership experience, and cooperative staff; while difficult transitions were blamed on poor school plant, strained interpersonal relations, and lack of buy-in for the principals’ vision.

The education system in Jamaica is characterized by differences in the achievements of male and female students. As a follow-up to previous studies conducted in urban Jamaica, this study sought to determine if differences can be observed in the educational achievement at the pre-school level in selected Caribbean countries by examining the competencies of male and female students in Guyana, Jamaica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.  Using a mixed methodology, the study also sought to identify factors which impede and facilitate transition to primary school.