Dad joins bpTT math camp to help twins

Brian Lewis, who passed mathematics at CXC level when he attended Arima Comprehensive School several years ago, said his reason for attending the math course was to “refresh myself so I can help my twin daughters with the subject when they start secondary school in September.” “I loved maths when I was in secondary school. I know some people do not like the subject. I passed it several years ago but with my twin girls about to enter secondary school I decided to attend this camp to get up-to-date so I can help them with their school work,” said the self-employed barber who lives in Sangre Grande.

Lewis is among a group of 29 persons who are participating in the intensive two-week workshop, which is sponsored annually by energy company BP Trinidad and Tobago. Now in its seventh year, the math experience is conducted at five locations in Trinidad and Tobago. In addition to Mayaro, the locations are the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Headquarters in Port of Spain, Diego Martin, the Youth Training Centre (YTC) and Tobago.

Ronda Francis, Corporate Responsibility Manager, bpTT, pointed to the benefits of the programme.

“These workshops provide the second chance for persons to succeed at mathematics that can prove elusive in the current school environment. The interactive approach to learning that is employed at these workshops removes the mental block that some students have against mathematics. We have seen where participants have gone on to achieve success in the subject at CSE C level, which is a pre-requisite for pursuing studies at a higher level, gaining employment or for a person’s self-development,” Francis explained. Facilitated by training agency Cross and Associates, the math experience comprises a re-introduction to fundamental mathematics principles, including percentages, number systems, decimals, algebra and consumer arithmetic. The content is delivered through a combination of theoretical lessons and practical applications where participants are given real-life examples of the principles of mathematics. The MRC workshop is conducted by tutor Ena Haniff.

Offering a different perspective on the training was Collette Smith, 22, who intends to study social sciences at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine. “I did math before in secondary school, but to be honest, I didn’t really like it.

I know that is important if I want to achieve my academic goals so I intend to take full advantage of this second opportunity to pass math.

The training here is one-on-one so this approach will help me a lot,” said Smith, who lives in Guayaguayare.