– Dave Chowtie launches Math Camp to inspire understanding over memorisation
Dave Chowtie
The flame ignited by educational pursuits is one that continues to light the way for the next generation, as 17-year-old Dave Chowtie is proving that mathematics isn’t just about numbers, symbols or formulas—it’s a way of thinking. And it’s this mindset he hopes to pass on through a brand-new summer programme he’s launching this July.
Dave Chowtie was one of the country’s top performers at last year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.
He wrote 29 subjects and secured 23 Grade Ones and 6 Grade Twos. Chowtie attended Queen’s College in Georgetown and tied with two other CSEC students who also earned 23 Grade Ones.
At an age where many of his peers are just navigating what’s next after high school, Dave is preparing to host a full-scale summer maths camp designed not only to improve grades but to change perspectives.
The core philosophy behind this initiative, Chowtie says, is that students should not rely on memorisation or cramming—a method he considers only a small part of the learning process—especially when it comes to truly excelling in maths.
Speaking during a recent telephone interview with this publication, Chowtie explained the spark that funnelled this flame to undergo this mission.
“I realised a lot of children struggle with math and kind of run from it. I wanted to help children on a larger scale, apart from those I teach, and that is why I started this. Plus, I really, really like math. I want to share my perspective of math and my love for math with those children.”
Dave, a top performer in both General Math and Additional Math at CSEC, has been teaching for the past year. Through this experience, he noticed a worrying trend: many students were just memorising rather than truly learning.
His personal journey in mathematics mirrors the transformation he now seeks to inspire. Initially, he too leaned on memorisation, but that changed as the subject became more complex.
“When I initially started studying math, it was more about memorisation. But as I moved to higher levels, I realised that can’t work. It’s more about understanding how things work, recognising patterns, and trying to understand concepts,” he said. “That is what really helped me get through my courses at Queen’s College, especially with the higher levels of math I pursued.”
The camp, which runs from July 7 to July 11, will be held Monday through Friday, from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. The curriculum merges the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) General Mathematics syllabus with elements of Additional Mathematics. Dave’s goal is not just to help students pass their exams—but to encourage them to pursue Advanced Math.
“Math is something you really need to practice, things like past paper work are important. Trying to get different perspectives and different ways to work on problems—math taught me there are multiple ways of arriving at a solution.”
When asked about this year’s record-breaking NGSA math results, Dave was full of praise:
“I think it was great—it was the best result so far, and I applaud everybody that would’ve been a stakeholder in getting those results.”
Looking to expand the programme’s impact beyond just academics, Dave has also invited guest professionals—doctors, engineers, lawyers, and others—to provide career guidance and inspire students.
Now, as he prepares to lead his first cohort of students through the intensive camp, he reflects on what teaching really means to him.
“Teaching and helping them is a very fulfilling experience. It’s satisfying to know that you can help someone go from zero to a hundred.”
For those wondering why they should sign up, Dave doesn’t promise quick fixes—but rather a powerful shift in how students view math and their own capabilities.
“It’s not just about math scores,” he said. “It’s about confidence, curiosity, and creating a mindset that understands, rather than just remembers.”
In a world racing ahead with technology, data, and logic, Guyana might just have found one of its most promising young mentors—and his classroom is open this summer. For further details, email: [email protected]
