PM Seeks Assistance from UWI FI for Mathematics Teaching

Considering the upcoming conference on Artificial Intelligence in Antigua and Barbuda next month and its potential impact on education, Prime Minister Gaston Browne has sought assistance from the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus to enhance the teaching of mathematics in schools.

The request emerged during a discussion on the Browne and Browne radio program last Saturday, where Prime Minister Browne engaged in a conversation with Professor Curtis Charles, the Dean of Academic Studies at UWI FIC and the coordinator of the upcoming conference.

Dr. Charles disclosed during the program that as part of the conference, UWI plans to provide training on AI to 150 local teachers to integrate it into their teaching practices.

Upon learning about this initiative, PM Browne urged Professor Charles to expand the program to include a curriculum that utilizes AI to teach mathematics throughout the entire education system.

He emphasized the need to address the shortage of math teachers by using AI to simultaneously instruct different classes in various schools. PM Browne expressed his belief that employing a more interactive approach to teaching math could lead to improved academic performance in the subject.

Dr. Charles expressed his intention to pursue this initiative post-conference, highlighting that much of the work would be undertaken at that stage.

He also mentioned that Education Minister Daryll Matthew will preside over a panel discussion on the topic of re-imagining education in Antigua and Barbuda and the Caribbean using AI.

The professor underscored that the average pass rate for math exams across the Caribbean is only 40 percent, which he deemed insufficient.

Furthermore, he stressed the importance of nurturing students’ mathematical proficiency from primary and secondary levels to ensure progress in the field of artificial intelligence.

Additionally, he identified the conference’s purpose as bringing experts capable of remotely teaching AI to Antigua and Barbuda.