With the recent Caribbean Secondary School Certificate (CSEC) examination results revealing almost two-thirds failing mathematics, record producer Heather Virgo will be sponsoring a number of students in resiting the subject in Jamaica.

At a press conference last Tuesday, August 2024, Regional Directors of CSEC, in outlining the overall performance of students, noted that only 36 percent of the region’s students sitting mathematics got an acceptable grade(1 to 111)

Mathematics is one of the core subjects needed to obtain jobs in addition to pursuing tertiary-level education in Jamaica and elsewhere.

According to Virgo, CEO of Hit Melody Records, while the paper (mathematics) may have been more challenging to students than say last year, more emphasis must be made on preparation, including marathons.

“One must be aware of the importance of mathematics in everyone’s lives, even at kindergarten level where numbers become a part of communication. We have to know how much we spend, to make changes to our budget, even as we set our goals within a certain timeline.”

She believes education is everybody’s business whether or not we have students in schools.

“This is not only the responsibility of the schools but parents need to play a greater role as well as the church.”

“Starting this academic year, 2024-2025, I will be sponsoring at least five students who have failed mathematics.”

Virgo has produced two riddim-driven projects. The ‘Ionie’ has 14 reggae tracks, and the ‘Edition’ has 12 tracks.

(Photo contributed)