Letter of the Day | Schools are not failing, the system is failing them

THE EDITOR, Madam:

In 2012, the Ministry of Education released a list of schools that were categorised as failing, including Holy Trinity High School. Fast-forward to 2023 and the school has once again made headlines. The principal recently disclosed that 70 per cent of first-year students are reading below their grade level. This is an alarming trend that suggests there may be deep-rooted issues within our education system. It begs the question: how is it possible for students to enter high school performing at such a low level? Moreover, it puts immense pressure on teachers who are already constrained by a limited budget to deliver academic results, literally performing academic CPR.

The aim of high-school education should be to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in society and make a meaningful contribution to the workforce. Focusing on the basics at this level is a stagnant approach that fails to yield optimal productivity, especially given the constantly evolving nature of the global labour force. Therefore, it is essential that we prioritise preparing our students to adapt to global technological trends and seize opportunities as they arise.

What kind of labour force do we expect to have in the next 10 years? How many schools in Jamaica are facing this same predicament? It’s not the schools that are failing, but we have a failing system that perpetuates the same issues and finds quick-fix intervention with no sustainability! Consequently, the schools are often left with the bulk of responsibilities, with limited resources to meet the needs of these students. The issues at hand may be multifaceted and need the right experts like social workers, educational and behavioural specialists who are essential in addressing some of the challenges. Failure to address this pressing matter with the utmost urgency may well result in us lagging behind Vision 2030.

The blame is not to rest solely on the Ministry of Education, but this is a collaborative effort and, as such, parental input is vital. “I believe the children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way!” Act now, because our nation’s future depends on it. Give the schools the resources they need and do not wait until the matter morphs into a greater problem.

ODEKA HAUGHTON

Past student of

Holy Trinity High School