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THE country’s leading authority on mathematics education has indicated that one of the major gaps in the teaching and learning of the subject in local classrooms is the lack of focus on problem solving.

National Mathematics Coordinator Dr Tamika Benjamin, who is part of the team implementing the iLead educational leadership programme in schools — an initiative created and implemented by the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Foundation and the Ministry of Education — told maths teachers from Happy Grove and St Thomas Technical high schools at a recent workshop that very often the tasks set by teachers are focused on finding answers to questions that already dictate the algorithm to be used to find the solution. However, she explained, problem solving requires students to find solutions without knowing what method to use.

“You have to allow students to use their own strategies; do not restrict them,” she stressed, noting that while questions may have one answer, problems may have multiple solutions.

“We stifle their development when we eliminate problem-solving. [That] approach adopted by most teachers encourages passive learning and consequently, students become dependent on instructions, rather than grasping concepts and confidently take on challenges,” she argued.

Using examples, Dr Benjamin challenged the teachers by demonstrating how problem solving tasks were different from questions teachers in general currently set.

“Thirty-five pupils attended a Children’s Day party. At the party, each girl was given five sweets and each boy was given three sweets. If a total of 155 sweets were given out the party, how many more girls than boys were there?” the Mathematics Coordinator asked, in an effort to demonstrate her point.

Dr Benjamin posited that the tasks set must deal with situations that are natural to the students and should centre on core mathematical concepts which they should learn. That approach, she said, shoulld lend itself to students justifying and explaining their answers.

The mathematic coordinator countered claims that students will resist problem solving tasks, insisting that dialogue must be an important part of the teaching and learning environment, in order to engage the students.

“Teachers have to ask purposeful questions that allow students to explain and reflect. Questions that help them to know what the students know. They must lead to meaningful discussions and ideas,” she emphasised.

In addition, she urged teachers to use a variety of strategies to engage students, including drawing or dramatising to “bring mathematics to life in the classroom.”

Happy Grove and St Thomas Technical are two of the new participants in the iLead programme, which targets ten schools in Portland, St Mary and St Thomas, given the National Education Inspectorate’s assessment of their needs.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/career/Problem-solving-missing-from-maths-education—Benjamin_45354

The organisers of the inaugural Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Foundation Heroes In Action 5K Run/Walk were pleased with Saturday’s event, which was held in the historic tourist town of Falmouth, Trelawny, with close to eight hundred people taking part.

Ryon Chambers won the male run category in a time of 17 minutes and 58 seconds. Second place was taken by Lenford Adams, 18:15, while Ronique Williams copped third in 18:19.

On the women’s side, first place went to Karlene Blagrove of Pacers Running Club in an easy-looking 22:07 minutes. She was trailed across the finish line by Jozanne Harris (Jamdammers) in 22:57 minutes. Jordan Waldschmidt ended in third, running 25:04 minutes.

What made the event more special was the fact that multiple Olympic and World Champion and world record holder over the 100m and 200m Usain Bolt was on hand to send the participants on their way.

Bolt, through his foundation, were key endorsers of the event that seeks to provide funding to the tune of $8m for the construction of a building that will house a classroom, a library and a sewing room at the Granville Place of Safety for Girls in Trelawny.

Celebrity Participants
Also taking part were Bolt’s parents, Wellesley and Jennifer Bolt; the town’s mayor, Garth Wilkinson; and several other well-known personalities, including members of the Trelawny FA, Linnel McLean (president), Ronald McLean (no relation) and Ms Hernie Brown, among others.

Paula Sinclair won the overall female 5K walk title ahead of Kimberly Clarke, with Brynn Broadie finishing in third place. On the men’s side, victory went to AndrÈ Smith of Go Run Running Club. The Jamaica National pair of Vivian Lawes and Jason Henry were second and third, respectively.

Munro College won the Team Championship (5K race) ahead of Grange Hill High (second) and Bolt’s alma mater, William Knibb High, in third.

Munro’s team of Rushane Fullerton, Leon Whyte, Daviere Witter, Marville Yee, and Michael Goss crossed the line first in a combined time of 1:34:26, with Grange Hill (1:45:36) next best. William Knibb had a time of 1:46:1.

Port Authority took the Team Championship 5K Walk, with Good Hope in second and the Child Development Agency back in third.

Saffry Brown, general manager, JN Foundation, described the occasion as a special one.

“It is an awesome occasion. It actually has a special meaning to the Granville School of Safety for Girls and the wider community,” said Brown.

“That we are able to hold this event in Falmouth, a very historic town, and with Usain Bolt on board through his foundation, it gives a real sense of pride and purpose to the event,” she added.

The event was held as part of the JN Foundation’s 141st anniversary celebrations.

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20151020/jnbs-foundation-marks-successful-5k-runwalk-falmouth

GENERAL manager of the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS), Earl Jarrett, will on October 28, 2015 be inducted into the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica’s (PSOJ) Private Sector Hall of Fame.

Jarrett has had a long history of involvement with the PSOJ, having served as honorary secretary on the organisation’s Executive Committee, and Chairman of the Trade Policy Committee, from 2009-2012.  He will be the second Afro-Jamaican, following after Glen Christian last year, to receive the prestigious honour.

“Earl is someone whom I have known and worked with for quite some time now. I have always been impressed with his stewardship of Jamaica National, and the impact he has made on the industry,” said PSOJ Presidenty William Mahfood. “Similarly, I am always amazed that even while growing the organisation, he has found time to contribute to society, such as the fantastic work he has done with the Jamaica Cancer Society.

He is well deserving of this award and continues the line of distinguished awardees who have served Jamaica well,” he added.

His tenure at Jamaica National began in 1997 following his entry into the organisation as an executive with responsibility for Compliance and Overseas Subsidiaries. In 1999, he became the general manager, a position he has held ever since. Jarrett is also a member of the Society’s Board of Directors, and a director of all its local and overseas subsidiaries, as well as the JNBS Foundation, the charitable arm of the JN Group.

A chartered accountant and graduate of the University of the West Indies, Jarrett also serves as an executive on the boards of several international, regional and local organisations. He is:

∞ Chairman: Caribbean Association of Housing Finance Institutions (CASHFI); Jamaica Cancer Society; Jamaican Diaspora Foundation and Mona GeoInformatics Institute

∞ Director: The Gleaner Company’s UK and North American Boards and Edna Manley College Arts Foundation

∞ Trustee: Dudley Grant Memorial Trust and the YWCA Trust

∞ Trustee Member: FIA Foundation Region 2

∞ Member: National Council of Jamaica, Order of St John and The University of the West Indies Mona Campus Council.

∞ Member: Electoral Commission of Jamaica

Prior to being at Jamaica National, Jarrett worked at a number of other companies, including T Geddes Grant/Mussons Group, where he served as finance director/company secretary, and NEM Insurance Company, where he was the assistant general manager. His career began at Peat Marwick (KPMG) where he served in a number of capacities, including senior auditor and manager.

In 2008, Mr Jarrett received the Order of Distinction, in the rank of Commander (CD), from the Government of Jamaica, for service to the financial sector, and the Pelican Award from the University of the West Indies Alumni, Florida Chapter, for outstanding work in business development among the Jamaican Diaspora in the USA.

Jarrett has a passion for volunteering and has served in a number of organisations, including the Jamaica Cancer Society, the Council of Volunteer Social Services, the Rotary Club of New Kingston, and the YMCA. Earlier this year, he was recognised as the Gleaner Honour Awardee for exceptional voluntary service.

He joins a list of 22 previous inductees to the PSOJ Hall of Fame.

Each year, since 1992, the PSOJ pays tribute to a private sector leader who has made innovative and sustained contributions to the development of the private sector over a minimum of 25 years, has demonstrated in-depth knowledge of the industry in which his/her company operates and demonstrates an unwavering commitment to the advancement of his/her industry and to national development.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Earl-Jarrett-to-be-inducted-into-PSOJ-Hall-of-Fame

Tahj Simpson is the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Foundation scholarship recipient for St Elizabeth.

Tahj was one of 31 students who were awarded a five-year scholarship and were officially recognised as JN Foundation scholars at a reception held at the JNBS Half-Way Tree branch on September 13. Thirteen of the awardees were children of JN Group employees.

Some 498 GSAT students, including students in the JN School Savers programme and employees’ children, have benefited from the JNBS Scholarship Programme since its inception 32 years ago.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20151022/corporate-hands-tahj-simpson-cops-jnbs-scholarship-st-bess

ENCOURAGED by the auspicious inaugural staging of the Jamaica National (JN) Building Society Foundation’s Heroes in Action 5K Run/Walk in Falmouth on Sunday, JN’s General Manager Earl Jarrett is hoping to include cruise and stopover visitors in next year’s staging of the event.

“Hopefully next year we can get the tourism sector involved. I would love to have hotels participate… for visitors to come down to the island to participate in it. A great ambition would be to see if we could have a boat in the (Falmouth) port, a ship in the harbour, and people from the vessel participating. So we have some big objectives and we are going to work on it for next year, and we are going to be right back here in Falmouth,” an enthused Jarrett told the Jamaica Observer West during the presentation ceremony of the event held on the Falmouth Shipping Pier.

“It’s our first year and it exceeded our expectation; We had over 500 people registered. It is a good start and we had the partnership with the Usain Bolt Foundation. We are in the beautiful historic town of Falmouth and I don’t think you can replicate the experience of walking pass some of these historic buildings.”

The event was endorsed by Usain Bolt and the Usain Bolt Foundation.

Bolt, who was also pleased with the maiden effort, pledged his continued support for the event.

“I am always willing to participate in anything to uplift my community and I am looking forward to doing it again next year. It is a great event,” said the phenomenal athlete, a native of Sherwood Content in Trelawny.

His manager, Nugent Walker, was also impressed with the overwhelming support for the event.

“We are happy with the turnout. It’s the first staging and the community seems to be vibrant; everybody came out and enjoyed themselves. It’s for a worthy cause, so we are pleased,” a satisfied Walker noted.

Proceeds from the event will go towards the construction of a media library, sewing room and a general studies classroom at the Granville Child Care facility in Trelawny.

Manager at the institution, Kisha Riley, was very appreciative.

“I am so enthused, I am overwhelmed, I am struck with awe, I am in amazement. I feel so good with the JN Foundation and Usain Bolt Foundation coming out to support Granville Child Care facility in such a way, and the CDA (Child Development Agency) in general,” expressed an overjoyed Riley.

Ryon Chambers won the male category of the event with a run of 17 minutes and 58 seconds. Second place went to Lenford Adams in 18:15, while Ronique Williams finished third in 18:19.

In the female category, first place went to Karlene Blagrove of Pacers Running Club in an easy-looking 22:07 minutes. She was followed by Jozanne Harris in 22:57 minutes, while Jordan Waldschmidt ended in third position in a time of 25:04 minutes.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/westernnews/Successful-staging-of-JN-Foundation-s-5K-Run-Walk-in-Falmouth_19234748

A 24-year-old male, who had no chronic illnesses and was gainfully employed, got involved in a fight and was chopped on the chest and arms then rushed to a hospital in a taxi.

There are many such incidents which occur too often in a Jamaican society stained with blood from more than 1,000 murders per year.

However, in this case, the injured man was fighting with his girlfriend – something he did repeatedly.

During the fracas, according to a case study, a relative of the woman intervened and inflicted the chop wounds.

The case study forms part of the JN Foundation and National Health Fund-sponsored research on the cost of violence-related injuries and road-traffic crashes on the health sector.

Dr Jason Toppin, associate lecturer in anaesthesia and intensive care, who presented the case study, told the story of how the man was rushed to the emergency room bleeding profusely, and how medical personnel immediately carried out blood investigation and administered intravenous fluids. The upper limb of the injured man was subsequently X-rayed.

Speaking yesterday during the Cost of Care and Data Mapping Forum at the Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston, Toppin said shortly after he started receiving attention at a hospital, it became obvious that a large artery in his arm was damaged and, in order to save it, he had to be rushed to the operating theatre.

“As a result, two elective surgeries were postponed – meaning two people who had planned to have their elective surgeries done did not have their surgeries done that day and went back home without their surgery.”

The patient lost three litres of blood and spent a lot of time in the operating room while being transfused with three units of blood and plasma.

TURN FOR THE WORSE

Things took a turn for the worse when the man started having difficulty breathing and had to be transferred by an ambulance to another hospital to be treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

There he had to undergo a plethora of CT scans of the brain, cervical spine, his chest and abdomen, and required mechanical ventilation to breathe.

A day later, the patient’s arm became swollen and no pulse was felt. It was believed that his arm was in danger and as such, he was rushed to theatre again for another surgery. However, four days later, it was discovered that his arm was infected and in an attempt to save his life, he was taken back to surgery a third time and his arm amputated.

He spent a total of 34 days in ICU, where he received the highest level of care, including the assignment of a designated nurse, IV fluids administered, a lot of expensive machinery monitoring him and to help him breathe.

While in ICU, the patient developed kidney failure, which was transient and required 12 sessions of dialysis before his kidney functions returned. He also had repeated bouts of serious infections requiring IV antibiotics and many transfusions of red blood cells and plasma.

“We did a number of X-rays, chest studies. Most days, he required physiotherapy – at least one session every day – and there were several days he had physiotherapy twice a day,” Toppin explained.

The man was eventually transferred back to the wards.

“Unfortunately, after seven days on the ward, he had a massive bleed from his intestine and died as a result,” Toppin said.

“We spent a little less than $6 million on him in hospital and that’s the most obvious part of the care – the direct cost.”

With the man being 24 years old, the study projected that if he had lived up to 60 years and retired while earning minimum wage – the income lost to his family, that would go to his house, among other things, would be an estimated $10 million.

Toppin argued that the cost of a single injury could result in a potential loss of $16 million.

He reasoned that on the many occasions when the man’s girlfriend got injured by him before the fatal altercation, there would have been an opportunity for intervention.

Professor Trevor McCartney, medical chief of staff at the University Hospital of the West Indies, who was one of the lead investigators in the project, said the findings of the study would be a point of reference for stakeholders to establish preventive programmes geared to reducing violence- and motor vehicle-related injuries, as well as to eliminate the constraints faced by hospital services as a result of these incidents.

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20151016/violence-and-exorbitant-cost-taxpayers-study-serve-reference

WHEN runners and walkers gather at the Falmouth Pier in Trelawny on Sunday morning to participate in the Jamaica National Building Society (JN) Foundation’s Heroes in Action 5K, they will be supporting an effort to give the girls at the Granville Place of Safety, located at Carrick Foyle in the parish, a fighting chance to receive a balanced educational experience.

The money will be used to assist with the construction of a building which will house a classroom, media library, and sewing room at the place of safety.

Rosalee Gage-Grey, chief executive officer of the Child Development Agency (CDA) says her agency places great emphasis on education for all children who are in State care.

“We recognise that education is the key to the success of our children and, on that basis, annually we make budgetary allocations to provide quality education for them,” she stated.

She also pointed out that presently at Granville there is a two storey building, which houses the dormitory upstairs and other facilities downstairs; therefore, the proposed new building will be a welcome change.

“Once the new facility is built we will be able to use both floors of the current block as dorm space to provide more individualised spaces for the children. Therefore, we will move from an open dormitory style residence to small rooms, which would house four children; and provide some level of independence and privacy,” Gage-Grey said.

She said other things were also being done to make the Granville Place of Safety a state-of-the-art childcare facility in western Jamaica, and that the support from the Heroes in Action 5K will assist with this endeavour.

Saffrey Brown, general manager of the JN Foundation, says the run/walk, which is endorsed by Usain Bolt and the Usain Bolt Foundation, will provide an opportunity for pople to support a beneficial project while experiencing the charm of the historic town of Falmouth.

“The race route traverses the town, including a section by the sea coast, which will give runners and walkers a chance to appreciate the beauty of Falmouth,” she noted.

The run is being organised with technical support from the team at Running Events Limited and will take runners on a five-kilometre path that will include adequate water stops and distance markers.

“We have sought to ensure the comfort and security of all participants in this special event and there will be an ambulance and medical attendants on standby to provide support, if necessary,” she added.

The foundation said that for people who will not be able to run, but would like to make a donation to the project, an account has been established at Jamaica National to facilitate them.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/JN-Foundation-runs-for-Granville-Place-of-Safety_19232865

Two high schools, which are among five additional institutions selected to participate in year two of the JN Foundation’s iLead programme, have set high expectations for what they anticipate to gain from their involvement in the education leadership initiative, being implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.

The high schools, St Thomas Technical in St Thomas and Happy Grove in Portland, anticipate that high quality training provided by the programme will help to build the capacity of the senior teachers and heads of departments.

“We are looking forward to the training,” says Monique Grant Facey, principal of Happy Grove High. “It will mean more work, but we welcome it,” the veteran school leader, who joined the institution as principal less than a year ago, after spending 18 years at Titchfield High, added.

A frank-talking educator, Grant Facey acknowledges that the school has many challenges; however, she is confident they can be addressed with the right support.

“There is room to improve teaching and learning,” she said noting that while teachers are qualified and know the content, their approach can be refined by skills to help them to apply differentiated strategies that cater to students’ various learning styles.

“Our students are performing below the national average in many areas; and, especially in the core subjects, maths and English,” she said, noting that a contributing factor to the problem is the fact that the approaches being used by teachers don’t always meet students’ needs.

“Our senior management, therefore, welcomes the approach of the iLead programme and look forward to moving the school ahead,” she affirmed.

The iLead programme tackles performance in rural schools by working with the leadership to improve standards and systems. It focuses on raising expectations by setting high standards for students and teachers; assisting schools to strengthen academic and administrative management with checks and balances; and, emphasising the use of data to improve accountability. At the same time, emphasis is also placed on improving teaching and learning in maths and English.

The three-year programme, launched in 2014, currently works with ten schools in the parishes of Portland, St Mary and St Thomas, which are considered by the Ministry of Education as in need of immediate support. It began initially with five schools: Robert Lightbourne High in St Thomas; Buff Bay Primary in Portland and Islington High, Brimmer Vale High and Port Maria Primary in St Mary.

And, at the end of the school year Martin Primary, Retreat Primary and Junior High in St Mary; Windsor Castle Primary and Happy Grove in Portland; and, St Thomas Technical, were added.

“The idea of operating an institution driven by data is what we hope to improve on,” said Betty Bryan Webber, principal of St Thomas Technical.

Bryan Webber, who joined the institution in September, indicates that while the school made an impact on some leadership challenges, there are issues which continue to stymie students’ performance. A main challenge is punctuality, given the long distances some students have to travel; in addition, to poor road conditions and unreliable transportation.

“We have students coming from as far away as Penlyne Castle, in the Blue Mountains close to the border of St Andrew. Therefore, that’s a challenge,” she said.

Although the school has made gains, especially in English Language since 2013, its students are performing at just about the national average in maths and English. Of the 240 students in the grade 11 cohort last year, only 125 sat mathematics and 65, or about 52 per cent, passed. One hundred and ninety-five sat English and 119 or 61 per cent passed.

“We are not comfortable with this, as our aim is to have the entire grade 11 cohort write the examination in Math and English,” Bryan Webber said.

Dr Renee Rattray, director of Education Programmes at JN Foundation noted that numeracy and literacy are the core academic focus of the programme, and are deliverables which are supported by the ministry through the deployment of full-time coaches to the schools.

“The implementation involves intensive coaching and support for the principals, middle managers and education officers to improve the quality of teaching and learning, while offering organisational leadership support for school boards,” Dr Rattray disclosed.

She emphasised that the programme offers mainly on-the- job support, which is the most effective approach to professional development.

“Under-performing schools need game-changing leaders who are equipped with the skills, strategies and energy to break the cycle of under-performance and dramatically improve results,” she said. “And, the iLead programme is structured to provide those critical skills.”

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/regional/iLead-programme-continues-to-deliver-in-St-Thomas–Portland-_19227780

IN A celebratory event held at its corporate offices, the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Foundation yesterday awarded 31 scholarships to students who received excellent passes in the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT).

Saffrey Brown, general manager of the JNBS Foundation, said that this year, the foundation took over the administration of the JN scholarship programme, which was previously managed by the corporate communications team at the JNBS.

The scholarships were awarded in three categories – GSAT Parish Scholarships, JN School Savers Scholarship, and the JN Employees’ Children Scholarships.

The 31 scholarships bring the total number of awards being given by the building society to 135.

Guest speaker at the awards ceremony, Mariame McIntosh Robinson, founder of Targeting Educational Achievement in Caribbean High Schools (Teach) Caribbean, congratulated JN for continuing to provide access to education for many Jamaican children.

Sharing her personal experiences, McIntosh Robinson explained that she started Teach Caribbean because of a dream to see every Jamaican child having equal access to quality education. Teach Caribbean is an educational non-governmental organisation which engages Rhodes scholars from all over the world to run summer boot camps in English and mathematics for students across Jamaica.

“The ride has just begun and it will only get better … as long as you continue to apply yourself and prioritise your education, you are off to a wonderful start …,” McIntosh Robinson told the scholarship recipients.

She implored the awardees to make the most of their high-school experience and called for more persons and entities to contribute to education.

“While I believe education is a public good, it is imperative for the private sector and us as citizens to do our part in ensuring that we eliminate the under-education of our Jamaican children … and I want to pause and give thanks for the work that JN has been doing in this space. I know this requires both vision and commitment from senior management and then an excellent team to top it off,” she said.

Tajh Simpson, a first-form student who was awarded a place a Munro College, was overjoyed on learning he was awarded a JN scholarship.

“Getting a scholarship means a lot to me because I really worked hard for it and I know that it will encourage me to maintain my grades,” he said.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20150914/jamaica-national-foundation-awards-31-scholarships

General Manager of the JN Foundation, Saffrey Brown offers words of encouragement to scholarship recipient Aulanni Kidd during yesterday’s staging of the JN Foundation 2015 Scholarship Awards at JNBS, Half-Way-Tree. Kidd, who attends Campion College in St Andrew, was one of 31 scholarship winners from all 14 parishes. The scholarship lasts for five years and recipients must maintain an annual school average of 70 per cent

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/JN-SCHOLAR_19228667