KINGSTON, Jamaica—In a significant educational initiative, Merl Grove High School served as the host venue for the culminating event of the 2026 Mathematics Problem-Solving Competition on March 12. The finale brought together over 100 exceptional students from primary and secondary institutions across Kingston, St James, and Westmoreland parishes.
This academic competition featured participation from 37 schools strategically selected from communities within seven designated Zones of Special Operations (ZOSOs)—areas identified as vulnerable and high-risk regions. Participants received extensive recognition through trophies, plaques, medals, and specialized mathematics manipulatives designed to foster active learning, enhance student engagement, and deepen conceptual mathematical understanding.
The competition operates under the Inter-Ministerial School Support Strategy, with funding provided through the Violence Prevention Programme. This collaborative effort partners with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office alongside the British High Commission to address broader social challenges.
Dianne McIntosh, Executive Director of Citizens Security at the Ministry of National Security and Peace, revealed to JIS News that since its 2020 inception, the initiative has demonstrated measurable positive impacts within targeted communities. “The approach integrates multiple agencies to address violence and crime through educational interventions,” McIntosh explained. “Strategic priorities focus on psychosocial activities that help youngsters manage emotional wellbeing, process trauma, and simultaneously address literacy and mathematical gaps.”
Dr. Lamar Edghill, Senior Education Officer in the Ministry’s Standards Development Unit, emphasized the program’s alignment with national efforts to promote STEAM/STEM disciplines. “We are in the fifth revolution requiring innovative technological approaches,” Edghill stated. “STEAM/STEM represents the optimal pathway forward, moving beyond traditional career preparation toward developing adaptable skills for uncertain futures.”
The initiative forms part of Jamaica’s broader crime reduction strategy, with educational improvement serving as a critical component. Edghill noted that enhanced academic performance, particularly in problem-solving mathematics, directly supports reduced crime rates within ZOSO communities.
This competition coincides with National Mathematics Month observances throughout March, organized under the theme: ‘Mathematics for All: Building Communities, Confidence, Competence, and Creativity.’ The Ministry of Education is coordinating numerous mathematics-focused activities across participating schools to reinforce these objectives.