YATJA records 80 per cent CXC maths pass rate over 4 years

KINGSTON, Jamaica—For many Jamaican students, mathematics can feel like an unsolvable equation. Your Actuary Tutor JA (YATJA) believes it has found part of the answer: start early, teach differently and tackle the fear as well as the figures. For the past four years, YATJA says students participating in its CXC Mathematics Boot Camp have consistently recorded an 80 per cent pass rate, encouraging the organisation to expand its programmes and school partnerships. Founder and lead instructor Sean Gillings believes strong mathematics skills are becoming increasingly important as technology and STEM reshape the global workplace. “Mathematics is not just another subject. It is a prerequisite for so many careers, particularly as we continue to move towards a technology- and STEM-driven world,” Gillings said. “If we want our young people to compete globally, we must make sure they are equipped with strong mathematical skills,” he added. YATJA now plans to take that message into more Jamaican schools while widening access to its online learning platform. The web-based system gives students access to thousands of dynamic mathematics problems, ranging from foundational concepts to tiered CXC-level questions. YATJA also plans to make the platform available to teachers through school partnerships, allowing it to be incorporated into classroom lessons, assessments and homework. Students who run into difficulty can seek personalised assistance from YATJA tutors. The organisation is also shifting its emphasis away from the traditional last-minute scramble before CXC examinations. With the exams testing knowledge accumulated throughout high school, Gillings argues that students need a longer runway to strengthen weak areas. YATJA therefore plans to stage multiple Mathematics Boot Camps during the coming academic year, beginning in November. But Gillings says knowing the formula is sometimes only half the battle. Test anxiety can undo months of preparation. YATJA has encountered students who demonstrate a firm grasp of mathematics in class, only to struggle or even “blank out” under examination pressure. Its programmes consequently combine academic preparation with confidence-building, examination strategy and techniques for managing anxiety. Personalised tutoring is another cornerstone of the programme. Rather than treating struggling students as a single group, YATJA offers one-on-one support targeted at specific areas of difficulty. “We don’t want students to believe that mathematics is something they simply cannot do or need to fear,” Gillings said. “Sometimes what a student needs is a different explanation, a practical application of the concept or someone to believe in them and give them the confidence to try again.” A past student of Ardenne High School, Gillings sees YATJA’s expansion as part of a broader contribution to Jamaican education. By combining technology, school partnerships and individual tutoring, the organisation hopes to reach students long before examination nerves take hold. For YATJA, the calculation is straightforward: better preparation plus greater confidence can equal better results.