Letter of the Day | Mandatory sixth form – hear the children cry

THE EDITOR, Madam:

In light of the recent news that compulsory secondary education will be extended to seven years, it is concerning that this is a tactic to compensate for the general lack of opportunities for youth in Jamaica. Furthermore, a solid educational foundation is not built for many students beginning from early childhood education, and this new policy will exacerbate the pre-existing stresses of our education system.

If this plan is executed, how will it mitigate these pre-existing conditions? These are such as:

- Need for better infrastructure and resources at existing institutions ranging from;

early-childhood to secondary schools;

- Lack of space for all fifth formers in sixth form;

- Financial barriers to CSEC and CAPE examinations, as well as sixth form;

- Less than 65 per cent pass rate in math;

- Student drop-out rate.

Moreover, this policy presents new issues, such as:

- Provision of new uniforms, books and extra transportation fees;

- Extra strain on limited resources and lack of teachers;

- Social and psychological impacts through having to adjust to a new environment;

- Potential lack of incentive to complete high school because of prolonged reward (graduation);

- Barriers to foreign education after fifth form because of lack of adequate certification.

This policy comes without a concrete and reasonable plan, and only highlights the weaknesses in our education system. Without strong institutions, which are not present, this plan would not be able to operate functionally, and leaves students at a further disadvantage. There are several things left to be desired from the Ministry of Education, and the Government. It should not be the role of the principal to monitor the progress of their students and/or the school to figure out the ministry’s doing, but the Ministry of Education should ensure that all students are holistically doing well and achieving the requisite milestones. This is not currently being seen, especially since there is not enough emphasis and support for students with learning disabilities, as well as an imbalance of resources available across schools.

COMPLETE OVERHAUL

The education system needs a complete overhaul and real solutions. It is imperative to invest more in the foundations of our children and provide them with equal opportunities at the early-childhood and primary-school levels. Furthermore, our teachers need to be adequately compensated to reduce the high turnover rate seen in schools. Greater emphasis is needed on STEM training at schools and better understanding of the barriers that students are facing with these subjects. Last but not least, if the goal is to prepare students adequately for the workforce and tertiary education, not only do the barriers to those avenues have to be reduced, but job creation in Jamaica should be a top priority since there are many people who are underemployed. If not, investments should be made to encourage entrepreneurship and skill-based training at the secondary level across all institutions.

This and many more issues have been raised and, thus far, very few answers have been presented. The present and future of Jamaica is filled with infinite potential. It is necessary to provide students with the tools to thrive, and to prolong high school is an inappropriate response to the challenges being faced. To make meaningful changes, we need to value the voices of those directly affected and listen to their concerns. The youth deserve better, Jamaica deserves better.

AVERY BARNETT

VANIA HUME