

Discussions also ensued about expansion of the Mathematics Olympiad with the Education Officer for Mathematics, Mrs.

Bonne-Smith explored cooperation with the Ministry of Education about developing with the John Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, a similar programme for Barbados. In attendance at the meeting were Ministry of Education personnel Chief Executive Officer of ALDAS, Frederick Eiden founder and Director of Education Initiatives, ALDAS, Alex Eiden and Executive Director for Talented Youth (JHU), Caribbean Youth Development Programmes, Riquette Bonne-Smith. During that time, the goal of creating a greater interest and performance in Mathematics education has been achieved at selected primary schools. It has been active in Barbados for the last three years and is supported and facilitated by the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation. The Khan Academy is the brainchild of Alex Eiden, a resident of the United States and a student at Villanova University. Senior Education Officer, Fernando Carter, told the Barbados Government Information Service that the new proposals were agreed to “in principle” during a meeting earlier this year with teachers and Information Technology coordinators from the participating schools of the Khan Mathematics Initiative. As a language, it can be assimilated by young children. The Barbados Khan Academy Mathematics Initiative is looking to expand its programme by introducing coding in primary schools and creating a Maths Olympiad for secondary schools – similar to the current Primary Mental Mathematics Competition.Ĭoding is essentially learning the computer language that creates apps and software. Information Technology Co-ordinators Ministry of Education officials Alex Eiden, founder of Khan Academy Senior Education Officer (Curriculum Section), Fernando Carter, (2nd left) and Education Officer (Maths), Wendy Griffith (2nd right) during a meeting to discuss the new Math Olympiad for secondary schools.
