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Dr. Fayad W. Ali Naparima’s mathematical marvel has done it - yet again! (2014) ...Fayad/Shereen/Ramdass CXC Learning project helps boost TT CXC math results Working with Shereen Khan and software developer Raj Ramdass of RSC International in Penal, Fayad Ali has produced innovative teaching/learning software in CXC-level math. Applying years of teaching and writing experience, the software is solutions-oriented with detailed, context-specific video/audio modules on DVD, featuring the master himself. This software was released to schools six weeks before the CXC examination. The results are in - with spectacular effect! CXC Maths results in T&T leaped from an average pass of 42% to an all-time high of 55%. It is the first time since the inception of CXC in 1979 than any Caribbean nation has ever exceeded a pass rate of 50% in Mathematics. The rest of the Caribbean still hovers in the 20's and 30's range. As a special personal note of merit - Raj's software together with Fayad Ali's personal attention helped a blind student, (Shamika Henry at Holy Name Convent), previously struggling with the subject, to achieve a '1' in Math. Raj Ramdass is a 1980's graduate of Naparima, whose three sons have also attended the institution. Excerpt from the Guardian: Guardian story: "Maths software a big help Yesterday software designer Raj Ramdass, who was instrumental in reworking the program for Henry, said he was thrilled when he heard about her CSEC results. “I prayed and thanked the Lord for her results. When I met her she won my heart and she touched me. I do not have a daughter and I felt as if she was my daughter and when I heard, I was so happy and proud of her,” he said. Ramdass said he, together with Dr Fayad Ali and Shereen Khan, embarked on a pilot project to develop maths software locally and improve maths results. In 2012 they did a pilot project with Union Claxton Bay Secondary using the software and the school attained a 300 per cent improvement in maths. He said the Ministry of Education partnered with the company to distribute the software to schools and do workshops with teachers. They worked with 95 schools." Naparima’s mathematical marvel has done it again! (2013) ...Senior Naps master heads TT-wide "Early Literacy" math project... Fayad Ali reviews secondary schools' math methods and pedagogy During a stellar teaching career of 38 years at Naps, Fayad Ali, often in collaboration with Shereen Khan as an authoring partner, (the latter having an M.Ed. in curriculum from U. Manitoba), has produced a large number of teaching, reviewing and testing text-books for secondary students. Besides thousands of NC students, he has tutored other external students, and his materials have been used in other Caribbean countries. He is now exploring the application of his methods to younger grades, and development of related teaching/learning software. Over the last two years, Fayad pursued a master’s degree at the University of Leicester in this subject area, and then his doctorate. Now, Fayad has been solicited by the Ministry of Education for his ideas concerning mathematics literacy in general, for all student levels in T and T. He has been given the mandate to assemble a team, review current procedures in all high schools in all eight administrative districts; and develop objectives and methods for improving the levels of “early mathematics literacy” in TT’s school-age pupils. This project is well under way. Fayad believes the first step toward mathematics mastery is a strong base in language: “The problem in mathematics is squarely a problem of language...the comprehensive skills...the ability to convert words into mathematics [are essential]. We shall work with all levels, but try to promote basic literacy, comprehensive skills and an understanding of WHY. Investigation mathematics is top of the list, reasoning and logic and practical applications of mathematics.” We celebrate the accomplishments of Fayad, our own graduate and life-long math master, on his own account; but at the same time we cannot help reflecting that it is in this indirect way our Alma Mater can extend the merits of its own methods of student development into the wider circle of nation and Caribbean society. We can only wish this son of Naparima the utmost success in this outstanding and exemplary national educational project. |
