Community Spirit Shines as Portland Stages Fifth Primary Maths Quiz Competition

Organisers of the Portland Primary Maths Quiz Competition are hailing the spirit of community, which was displayed in the fifth staging of the parish’s Primary Maths Quiz Competition on February 6 to May 7.

The contest, which began with seven schools in 2017, received the most entries this year with 30 institutions facing off in intense battles for the top prize.

In the end, Buff Bay Primary School bested defending champions, Norwich Primary, to claim the win during the finale at the Social Development Commission (SDC) Office in Port Antonio on May 7.

In an interview with JIS News, Cluster-based Mathematics Specialist for Region 2 in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (MOESYI) and President of the Norwich Community Development Committee (CDC), Suzette Simpson McNeil, stated that, “the communities in Port Antonio, they came on board late but they did justice to this competition”.

“I’m grateful for all who participated, even those who made a small contribution. Even the market vendor gave something. We got contributions from even fishermen who gave us a few fish just to make sure that this competition stayed positive and alive. We are a small community in Portland but we really shine and outdo ourselves,” she stated.

The Portland Primary Maths Quiz Competition was implemented by the Portland SDC in partnership with the MOESYI, Norwich CDC, the Portland Parish Development Committee and others.

Parish Manager for Portland SDC, Karl Coke, told JIS News that, “this competition involves the entire parish of Portland. Thirty primary schools entered the competition, which is a plus because it’s the best we’ve ever had it over the years, which shows that there’s an interest in mathematics”.

Mr. Coke pointed out that the work of the SDC is community-driven, “so we are very dependent on volunteerism and persons doing work in the community”.

He stated that exposing primary-school students to the work of the SDC will bear fruit for community development in the parish, as the youngsters will recognise and “want to be a part of what is going on in their space”.

Looking ahead, Mr. Coke said that the intention is to expand the Maths Quiz competition to high schools. The agency is also looking to re-establish its public speaking competition and to amalgamate it with a poster competition for schools in the parish.

“We have a lot of skilled artists there in the schools that want to showcase what they’re doing at the school level. So going forward, that’s what we have planned,” Mr. Coke said.

He expressed gratitude to the sponsors of the Primary Maths Quiz Competition, who contributed to the organisers being able to fete the winners and participants with trophies, medals, and other exciting prizes.

“We just want to thank the sponsors and partners for funding something like this. This would not be possible without the sponsorship and the kindness of our stakeholders right across Portland,” Mr. Coke stated.

Sponsors included Members of Parliament for Portland Western and Eastern, Hon. Daryl Vaz and Isat Buchanan; Mayor of Port Antonio, Paul Thompson; Jamaica Teachers’ Association Cooperative Credit Union; Bookzone; Anchovy Hardware; Ramtulla Supercentre; Essies Variety Store; Soshavel Variety Store; Bayview Eco Resort and Spa; DK Decorations and more; Portland Parish Development Committee, Boundbrook Tyre Shop; and the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission.