In support of efforts to remedy Saint Lucian students’ struggles with Mathematics, the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) has returned as a partner for Math Camp 2025. This third iteration of the annual summer camp includes an expanded cohort of students and teachers, extending beyond secondary school to Grade 5 students and primary school educators. This expansion aims to break ineffective teaching methods in primary schools while also addressing students’ lack of motivation towards mathematics.

“When we teach a child to push through a problem, we’re not just helping them pass a test — we’re teaching perseverance. We’re teaching them they can think critically, that they can grow. That changes everything,” said Tracy Pilgrim-George, SALCC Acting Director of Internationalisation, Advancement, and Partnerships.

This year’s Math Camp, which runs from July 7-18, serves over 300 students (132 secondary school students and 180 primary school students) from across the island. Apart from SALCC, the camp is hosting sessions at Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School, Vieux Fort Primary School and Dame Pearlette Louisy Primary School.

“This initiative is about more than grades,” said Delia Samuel, founder and lead of Math Camp, “It’s about giving our young people the confidence to say, ‘I can do this.”

Furthermore, over 100 teachers are also participating in training sessions designed to strengthen instructional practices and improve student outcomes. This professional development component allows math educators from primary and secondary schools across the island to engage in workshops, co-teaching models, and strategy sessions with their peers.

“Teachers are at the heart of this movement,” said Beverly Dieudonné, Chief Education Officer at the Ministry of Education “When we empower educators, we empower students.”

The camp has received tremendous support from generous donors including the Good News Project Inc., Ministry of Education, LUCELEC, Rotary Gros Islet and more.

In her keynote remarks at the opening ceremony, Dr. Kathy Depradine, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Science at SALCC, spoke to SALCC’s desired outcome from this partnership.

“This camp is about disrupting cycles of inequity. Mastery of math fundamentals is not just essential for academic success — it’s also critical for financial literacy, data analysis, and technological advancement. These are life skills, and every child deserves access.”