Prime Minister Andrew Holness has urged parents to refrain from instilling a psychological fear of Mathematics in their children.

Mr. Holness echoed the appeal made earlier by President of the Jamaica Teachers Association, Dr. Mark Smith following the poor performance of students in Mathematics at this year’s sitting of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examination.

Addressing parents at Jamaica College in St. Andrew this morning, Mr. Holness said Mathematics is important as the labour force needs students who are trained in the subject.

He also pointed to Technology, Engineering and Science as important subjects that could transform the country’s labour force into one where Jamaicans earn more.