Math whiz says fun learning yields top results
Published:Sunday | November 16, 2025 | 12:09 AMErica Virtue - Senior Gleaner Writer
Seventeen-year-old Mijaun Talbot, the joint regional top Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) mathematics performer for 2025, believes mathematics cannot simply be taught from the front of a classroom. For him, it is a subject to be experienced, connected with, and enjoyed.
Talbot, a Campion College sixth former, emphasizes that making mathematics relatable and fun is key to academic success.
“In terms of teaching mathematics, I would say that math is a subject where you really can’t just teach the information,” he told The Sunday Gleaner.
“You have to be able to connect with your students outside of a classroom or educational setting. I don’t think being a teacher, where you’re just militant and simply delivering lessons is the best environment, personally.”
Talbot emerged top of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) merit lists for mathematics this year, tied with Trinidad and Tobago’s Alexia Pouthier as the top performer in the entire region.
Jamaican students delivered strong overall performances in the 2025 CSEC examinations, securing first place in 13 subjects, including Mathematics. In addition to topping CXC’s merit lists for mathematics, Talbot placed seventh islandwide in Additional Mathematics. He also passed nine CSEC subjects with Grade Ones, including eight distinctions, and earned 26 of 27 Grade A profiles.
“I really do like mathematics. It is one of the subjects that I really enjoy doing at Campion,” Talbot said. “I’d say I do have a knack for math, so it really did help me, but more so, it helped a lot just studying and staying committed. Before the examination process, I actually made a study timetable for all the subjects,” he said.
This year, 44 per cent of students who sat Mathematics achieved a passing grade, up from 39 per cent the previous year. Still, the national average remains below the pre-pandemic 54 per cent pass rate. Recognizing the broader challenges facing mathematics education in Jamaica, Talbot reasoned that success is influenced not only by student effort but also by teaching methods.
“I think when you’re teaching math, you have to have fun with it. You have to have fun, and your students will feel that. If they know you’re enjoying it, they’ll enjoy it too. That was a big part of my learning; being engaged and having fun helped me absorb more,” he explained.
When Talbot sat the CSEC examinations, he was confident in his preparation but did not dwell on placement.
“It wasn’t something that was at the top of my mind, but I was extremely happy when I found out that the work I had put in paid off,” the well-spoken teen told The Sunday Gleaner. “I think this is not only a great achievement for me, and my circle, but for all Jamaica.”
Talbot has consistently excelled academically. He entered Campion College five years ago as a government scholar from Mona Preparatory, ranking in the top one per cent of his cohort in the Primary Exit Profile (PEP). His structured routines, motivation, and supportive circle have been key to sustaining his high performance.
Talbot’s meticulous preparation, disciplined study routine, and commitment to understanding concepts contributed to his outstanding results. He stated that a genuine passion for mathematics and related subjects – robotics, coding, and astronomy – fuelled his achievements.
“I understand that mathematics is a subject that a lot of persons are averse to,” he noted. “However, since I would say I have a knack for it, and I like coding and astronomy, I tried my best and knew I would have done well,” he said modestly.
His dedication to studying was matched by a commitment to helping others. Talbot often tutored friends, reinforcing his own understanding while fostering a collaborative learning environment.
“I was also helping a lot of my other friends, which something I realised while I was doing it, that I did it for the benefit of my friends for the most part, but it also helped me to solidify the information that I was disseminating to them or helping them understand. I’d definitely call it a group success,” he said.
Even with a rigorous study schedule, Talbot maintained balance through leisure activities like video games and television, deliberately avoiding social media distractions.
Talbot credits much of his success to his parents, teachers, and peers.
“My parents were a big, massive help, honestly. It was really, really nice having them in my corner like that, just being able to turn to them when I needed it,” he said.
He said that his mother was a constant source of encouragement, constantly telling him “just stay on the narrow path” and to remain focused.
“That was her biggest word during my examinations, ‘focus’. That was most of what she said. ‘Just try and focus on what you’re doing in the now...’” he related.
Talbot also lauded his friends and praised his teachers’ approach, stating that they were strict but engaging, fostering connection and enjoyment in learning.
“I have to attribute some of this to them as well, because I don’t think I could have got to this point without them,” he told The Sunday Gleaner.
Talbot said the way in which the subject was taught made learning fun and that made a difference.
“It definitely did help to have that connection with your teacher in the sense that you knew that they weren’t just there to teach, that they enjoyed teaching and they enjoyed just helping students,” he explained.
Talbot is now in lower sixth form, studying physics, chemistry, pure mathematics, and communication studies. He is considering careers in chemical engineering or astrochemistry and aims to replicate his CSEC success in the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).
“I plan to, definitely,” he promised.