In a continued effort to combat students’ struggles with Mathematics, the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to youth development by returning as a key partner in Math Camp 2025. Now in its third year, the summer initiative has grown significantly, welcoming more than 300 students and over 100 teachers from across the island.
Math Camp 2025, which runs from July 7–18, has expanded its reach beyond the secondary level to include Grade 5 students and primary school educators. This strategic expansion aims to address not only students’ lack of motivation in mathematics but also outdated and ineffective teaching practices in primary schools.
“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,” stated Tracy Pilgrim-George, SALCC’s Acting Director of Internationalisation, Advancement, and Partnerships.
Camp sessions are being held at multiple venues across the island, including SALCC’s main campus, Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School, Vieux Fort Primary School, and Dame Pearlette Louisy Primary School. This year’s cohort includes 132 secondary school students and 180 primary school students.
“This initiative is about more than grades,” said Math Camp founder and lead, Delia Samuel. “It’s about giving our young people the confidence to say, ‘I can do this.’”
A key component of the camp is teacher development. Over 100 educators are participating in hands-on workshops, co-teaching exercises, and professional strategy sessions. These sessions aim to enhance instructional quality and ultimately improve student outcomes.
“Teachers are at the heart of this movement,” emphasized Beverly Dieudonné, Chief Education Officer. “When we empower educators, we empower students.”
Math Camp 2025 has received support from a wide network of donors and partners, including the Ministry of Education, LUCELEC, Rotary Club of Gros Islet, and the Good News Project Inc.
Delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony, Dr. Kathy Depradine, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Science at SALCC, highlighted the deeper mission behind the program: “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.”
With a focus on confidence-building, critical thinking, and effective pedagogy, Math Camp 2025 marks a pivotal step toward improving mathematics education and equity in Saint Lucia.