“For in religion and science lies our only hope to withstand the evil designs of modern materialism.”

– The Most Eminent Prophet and King,

His Excellency – Marcus Mosiah Garvey (1)

Government statistics, such as are, they indicate that Afrikan children lag behind most other groups in mathematics attainment. (2) This clearly goes against the exhortation of Marcus Garvey, quoted above.  Even the Fugees asserted that “mathematics was key to set my whole race free.” (3)

Therefore, it is imperative that we address the pedagogical dynamics in the terms the educational environment of our young people and what needs to be done to enhance (or even establish) engagement in these subjects.  In this regard we have inspirational innovators like Bro. Neil Mayers, Mr Numbervator and others in the case. (4)

However, as implied above our approach should be founded on our nation building agenda that should provide meaning, purpose and context for our children’s educational attainment.

(1) Bro. Ldr Mbandaka (2009) Mosiah Daily Affirmations. Soul Force Promotions. p. 53

(2) Gov.uk (20/04/20) Maths results for 6 to 7 year olds. https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/education-skills-and-training/5-to-7-years-old/mathematics-attainments-for-children-aged-5-to-7-key-stage-1/latest; Gov.uk (13/05/20) Maths results for 10 to 11 year olds. https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/education-skills-and-training/7-to-11-years-old/maths-attainments-for-children-aged-7-to-11-key-stage-2/latest.

(3) Fugees (1996) Rumble in the Jungle (featuring A Tribe Called Quest, Busta Rhymes and John Forté).  DAS Label/Mercury Records

(4) The Ligali Organisation (14/09/10) Community Profiles: Neil Mayers. http://www.ligali.org/article.php?id=2134

We ask the question:

Why does maths matter?

1) Why do statistics put our children behind most other groups in maths?

2) Is it a teaching issue or a structural one?

3) How can science help us “withstand the evil designs of modern materialism”?

4) What we as a community do address maths and science attainment?

Our special Guest:

Mr. Numbervator: Bro. Kofi Anoom aka Mr. Numbervator is a qualified OFSTED commended experienced class teacher in the key stages 1, 2, 3, holds a ‘Teacher of The Year Award’, Primary Maths Advisor for Guernsey and is a Maths Consultant designing school development plans to improve school learning outcomes in maths. He writes and presents maths programmes on BBC 1 and Teachers TV.

Mr. Numbervator is a remarkable character utterly dedicated to getting the essential skills and concepts of Maths across to the younger generation in an imaginative, action packed, challenging fun way which extends children’s thinking.  He supports, promotes and endorses what Maths year 2000/Count On is advocated – a ‘can do’ attitude towards learning Maths, making it more accessible and encouraging children/all people to learn while having fun, while being rooted in the National Numeracy Strategy Framework.

Mr. Numbervator performs around the country and beyond on behalf of the DFES, Tomorrows World Live 2000, Carlton Kids Television and is available to do presentations in school assemblies, work with individual classes, year groups, mixed year groups, theatres, INSET for teaching staff, adults, larger events and television filming, NQT’s and Parent sessions where he supports parents to be able to help their children at home achieve and attain high levels of maths.

His interactive performances include: mental number problems, memory activity, place value activit

Our special Guests:

Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement, Afrikan-Centered Education Consultant and national co-Chair of the interim National Afrikan People’s Parliament.  Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of nearly 40 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Approach To Excellence.

Mr. Numbervator: Bro. Kofi Anoom aka Mr. Numbervator is a qualified OFSTED commended experienced class teacher in the key stages 1, 2, 3, holds a ‘Teacher of The Year Award’, Primary Maths Advisor for Guernsey and is a Maths Consultant designing school development plans to improve school learning outcomes in maths. He writes and presents maths programmes on BBC 1 and Teachers TV.

Mr. Numbervator is a remarkable character utterly dedicated to getting the essential skills and concepts of Maths across to the younger generation in an imaginative, action packed, challenging fun way which extends children’s thinking.  He supports, promotes and endorses what Maths year 2000/Count On is advocated – a ‘can do’ attitude towards learning Maths, making it more accessible and encouraging children/all people to learn while having fun, while being rooted in the National Numeracy Strategy Framework.

Mr. Numbervator performs around the country and beyond on behalf of the DFES, Tomorrows World Live 2000, Carlton Kids Television and is available to do presentations in school assemblies, work with individual classes, year groups, mixed year groups, theatres, INSET for teaching staff, adults, larger events and television filming, NQT’s and Parent sessions where he supports parents to be able to help their children at home achieve and attain high levels of maths.

His interactive performances include: mental number problems, memory activity, place value activities, human number lines, the only unique way of doing the 6-10 times tables using the fingers, converting 12-24 hr times, using Venn and Carroll diagrams and much more. Mr. Numbervator has ‘sole’ permission to use his personalised game show ‘who wants to be a Mathonaire’. And his latest creation ‘Benchmarks©’. (http://www.marco-learningsystems.com/pages/mr-numbervator/mr-numbervator.htm)

ies, human number lines, the only unique way of doing the 6-10 times tables using the fingers, converting 12-24 hr times, using Venn and Carroll diagrams and much more. Mr. Numbervator has ‘sole’ permission to use his personalised game show ‘who wants to be a Mathonaire’. And his latest creation ‘Benchmarks©’. (http://www.marco-learningsystems.com/pages/mr-numbervator/mr-numbervator.htm)