An educational charity has announced that HSBC has pledged to continue its support of a programme intended to boost maths proficiency in Bermuda.

A spokeswoman for The Reading Clinic said the bank had decided to continue its exclusive sponsorship of the ICAN Math Downward Extension Programme.

The programme was introduced for students in Primary 3 and 4 to help tackle weak numeracy skills, including maths anxiety, school failure and financial illiteracy.

Martina Harris, TRC executive director, said: “Building confidence in maths leads to better engagement, reducing maths anxiety and frustration.

“By focusing on the early building blocks of numeracy, we can address widening gaps in maths skills and work towards reducing school failure.”

The charity said the bank’s support of the programme demonstrated its commitment to nurturing and empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed financial decisions.

Ms Harris added: “As a responsible corporate citizen, HSBC is honoured to partner with The Reading Clinic to expand its reach, develop new educational resources and enhance the overall learning experience for young students in Bermuda.

“Through funding support and volunteer opportunities, HSBC is committed to making positive impacts on the communities we serve.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to HSBC for their sponsorship and steadfast commitment to our mission ‘to equip children who have learning differences with the self-understanding, tools and confidence they need to thrive in school and beyond.’

“Together, we can empower more students with the mathematical skills they need to prosper in today’s world.”