The "Math Yes We Can" Program

The “Math Yes We Can” program is designed to upgrade the math skills of students enrolled in high school. The program targets students in grades 8, 9, 10 and 11, who due to a variety of reasons have fallen behind in their basic math skills. Therefore, they have been placed in math courses that do not lead to a future in postsecondary education. The goal is to guide them back to the challenging academic math courses required for postsecondary education.

Our Graduates

First Aboriginal student at UBC Math Honors major

Onitha’s journey: Impoverished township in South Africa to graduating …University of Cape Town.

Math Yes We Can at the Graduate Women International conference in Geneva, Switzerland, 2019

The program consists of the following key elements:

A series of 7 books entitled “The Language of Mathematics” designed and authored by Rahael Koshy Jalan, to enable students to learn the concepts that form the foundations of mathematics. These books span the basic high school math curriculum and are designed to introduce the student to mathematical concepts in a manner that is easy to understand. Successful completion of the entire series of books has been found to instill confidence in the students, enabling them to transfer to the challenging academic math stream.

The teachers and tutors involved with delivering the “Math Yes We Can” curriculum participate in a teacher training program designed to familiarize them with “The Language of Mathematics” books.

Feedback from Teachers

Canada

South Africa

India

Our Mission

To advance education by providing a comprehensive program in mathematics fundamentals, an essential building block for success in Science, Technology, Engineering, and other areas of learning which require a solid foundation in Mathematics.

Founded by Rahael Koshy Jalan.

The objective of Eagles of Tomorrow is to advance education by providing a comprehensive program in mathematics fundamentals and enable high school students to succeed in Mathematics.

Spearheaded by Vimbai Nyatsambo.

The goal of Eagles of Tomorrow Africa is to expand the “Math Yes We Can” Program in Africa and provide enhanced educational opportunities for children in impoverished areas of Africa with a focus on mathematics and science.

Milestones of Success

Initial Results

Parent Feedback

Hi Rahael, Thanks for coming to meet with all of us; I think it went well! From all the questions and comments, I'm sure that you sense the staff is quite receptive to this project. We, as teachers, are a hard sell, but you've managed to make them believe that it just might be workable. Your visit was like a breath of fresh air and helped to renew their convictions that they can make a difference.

Vicki, Vidas

Head of Mathematics, Britannia School, Vancouver, 2004

Teacher letters- 2006 - 2015 Canada

2009 Britannia Secondary school

Tangible success was achieved in June 2009, when two students of Aboriginal ancestry successfully graduated from Britannia Secondary School with Principles of Math 12…A FIRST at Britannia, where 30% of students are of Aboriginal ancestry. The program expanded to Windermere Secondary School and Templeton Secondary School in Vancouver

2012 Windermere Secondary School

Windermere Secondary School graduated its first ever Aboriginal student with Math 12, in June 2012. Her story was reported in the Vancouver Sun.

2013 Templeton Secondary School

Templeton Secondary School graduated its first ever Aboriginal student with Principles of Math 12. In 2013, the year in which he graduated, he completed Advanced Placement Calculus, having completed his Principles of Math 12 a year earlier, in Grade 11.

2016 Math Camp

2018 Math Camp

2019 Math Camp

South Africa Results 2009

“Maths: YES WE CAN!” Pilot Project Report Group Improvement: The highest mark on the initial assessment test taken in September 2009 was 37 per cent, while the group average mark was 9%. By the end of the six weeks most of the learners had completed two-and-a-half of the five workbooks and showed a group average improvement of 44% from the initial assessment in September.

During this six-week pilot project in 2009, seven learners (Ayanda Madinga, Nwabisa Banjatwa, Nthabiseng Gugushe, Sinethemba Buso, Ntozamo Gwangqa, Xolelwa Pona and Odwa Madikane) scored between 98-100% on a quiz or test.

The Road Ahead

There is now sufficient evidence that given the opportunity, disadvantaged youth can succeed in mathematics and science.

We have demonstrated the success of the “Math Yes We Can” program and the “Language of Mathematics” books, by creating an environment where disadvantaged youth who have fallen behind in their mathematics fundamentals, have gained a solid foundation in mathematics and made the successful transition to and continuation of post secondary education.

We have a great opportunity to expand the scope of these initiatives. Within the current framework, disadvantaged youth do not readily see math and science based careers as an option for them. The “Math Yes We Can” program will open the door for youth who currently do not have a viable pathway to success in the pursuit of professional careers requiring math and science.

India 2020

Dear Rahael,

We are pleased to inform you that Mathematics Academy of M.C.E. Society Azam Campus has implemented the “Math Yes We Can” programme to 746 students of standard VII and VIII of the following schools of Azam Campus, from February 2020

1. Anglo Urdu Girls High School
2. Anglo Urdu Boys High School
3. M.C.E. Society’s English Medium School and Junior College
4. M.C.E.Society’s PAI Parvaaz Division

We are grateful for your support and expect your kind cooperation to implement this program completely.

Thank you,

Regards

Malika

A chance meeting with Abeda Inamdar at the GWI conference in Geneva, Switzerland paved the way for a partnership with the Abeda Inamdar Senior College of the Maharashtra Cosmopolitan Education Society (M.C.E.Society).

Maharashtra Cosmopolitan Education Society runs various institutes which provide education from pre primary to post graduate level. The Department of Mathematics of the Abeda Inamdar Senior College, pioneered the setting up of the “Mathematics Academy” in 2003, with its avowed aim of identifying and nurturing the talent in Mathematics in students at an early age.

Most of the students enrolled in the schools and colleges of M.C.E.Society are first generation learners coming from socio- economically disadvantaged sections of society. Majority of the students are girls and the Academy works to uplift them in Mathematics and encourage them to take up a career in STEM.