“Priority Gap”: MP Mahipaul Slams Education Minister Over Widening Math Gender Gap
By: Marvin Cato | HGP Nightly News|
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — Despite record-high school attendance for girls globally, a startling new study by UNESCO reveals that they are once again falling behind boys in Mathematics. In Guyana, the report has sparked a political firestorm, with Opposition Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul accusing Education Minister Sonia Parag of neglecting local classroom needs in favor of international travel.
The UNESCO study, published in partnership with IEA Education, indicates a regressive trend: in 2023, boys outperformed girls in mathematics at the end of primary school in 8 out of 10 education systems, a sharp increase from 4 out of 10 in 2015.
“Sojourns vs. Success”: Mahipaul Calls for Accountability
In an exclusive interview with Nightly News, Mahipaul argued that the Ministry’s “flagship” projects—such as Math tents and nationwide extra lessons—are insufficient to bridge the widening gender gap.
- Leadership Critique: Mahipaul was blunt in his assessment of the Minister’s priorities. “I don’t think Sonia Parag is focusing on Education as much as she is focusing on traveling,” he stated, suggesting that her frequent “sojourns” abroad have left a leadership vacuum at the regional education department level.
- The “Coastal” Bias: The MP highlighted a critical lack of resources in the hinterland, arguing that the Ministry’s focus remains too isolated on central Georgetown and the coastland.
- Examination Pressure: With CXC and NGSA exams scheduled for this month, Mahipaul warned that any poor performance in Mathematics would be a direct reflection of Parag’s “leadership style” and her absence from the local frontlines.
A Multidimensional Approach to Education
Mahipaul emphasized that addressing the gender gap and general underperformance in Mathematics requires more than just “Math tents”; it requires structural changes for both teachers and students.
- Teacher Retention: The MP called for higher allowances to encourage coastal teachers to relocate to hinterland communities, ensuring that the most remote students have access to quality instruction.
- Conducive Environments: He stressed the importance of making the classroom environment more appealing for teachers, particularly in “far-flung” regions, to increase their “appetite to deliver the curriculum.”
- Inter-Agency Support: Mahipaul urged the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security to intervene in regions where child labor and early marriages continue to pull children out of the education system, fueling the cycle of poverty.
Beyond Academic Inclination
For MP Mahipaul, the solution lies in “maximum participation” at the teaching level and expanding opportunities for those who may not be academically inclined through technical and vocational institutions. As Guyana monitors the results of the upcoming national and regional exams, the debate over whether “Math tents” can replace direct ministerial oversight remains a central point of contention. The MP concluded that while the opportunity for education is present in Guyana, the quality and consistency of that education are being compromised by a “mixed up” set of priorities at the highest level.
