photos by Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Dr Davidson Daway has developed a reputation for great GSAT preparation, but he would prefer if Jamaican students were not unduly pressured.

book

Continued from e1

Dr Davidson Daway is well known for his work preparing students for Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) exams using a teaching system he developed himself. He runs a popular GSAT preparation class in St Andrew. Now, that system, which has reaped impressive success in recent years, has helped craft Daway's first GSAT preparation book titled High Five GSAT Programme - Mathematics. The book is co-authored by Jeanne Williams.

"When students use this book, they'll not only learn how to arrive at solutions, they will learn to think through the problems and understand what it is they are being asked to do," said Daway.

Though it's a math book, the material inside 'High Five' places great emphasis on reading. It's a reflection of Daway's overall teaching method.

"I always encourage reading," he said. "One of Jamaica's greatest problems is that too many of our people cannot read and think for themselves. The book forces you to utilise reading and reasoning in math."

He also prepared specific sections of the book with an aim to get parents and teachers involved.

"There are tools in the book to help parents who are working with their kids and teachers working with students. The goal is to get everyone involved and to ensure that they understand what they are doing," said Daway.

The book has 14 chapters, covering everything from fractions and decimals to geometry and statistics.

interesting exercises

Each chapter ends with a test and a 'family fun page' with interesting exercises for parents and students to practise together.

The book was self-published and released this year. It's the end product of Daway's mission to correct what he believes are faults in the way students are taught at the GSAT level.

"When I look at some of the books that are used in schools, I get really upset. I see so many errors in them. A lot of what is being presented to students is absolute rubbish," he said.

"These methods don't encourage reasoning. They're just thrown together. They make no sense at all."

His outspoken ways haven't made him many friends in the formal education system, but Daway doesn't seem to mind.

"My only concern is the students. I will never sacrifice a child. I feel like this is my destiny, to be working with kids," he said.

Daway is from Dominica but has been living in Jamaica for 15 years. He's a one-time boy genius who graduated university at 19 years old. He has a PhD in Economics and worked for the United Nations for 22 years.

"I've been all over the world and done a lot in my life. I know that children are our greatest asset as a country and we need to ensure that we are giving them all the tools they need to be successful," he said.