The continuous cycle of crisis in education

THE EDITOR, Madam:

It is likely that there will not be any major disruption in the schools in September. There are far too many graduates to fill the classrooms to teach. At the beginning, everyone wants to look good, so administrators will do all the necessary public relations with real gloss.

But very soon, the shine will disappear as students and faculty alike realise that the infrastructure in many schools will not be repaired.

The four-month review takes place, and many will put their feet out the door. But they have earned enough to update a passport and travel. It will be Christmas holidays, so to perfect time to go overseas. The best time, really, to land a teaching job.

Parliamentarians do not have to look far for perfect job description and appraisals forms, check out the ones used for teachers. Retaining teachers will be easy with these instruments? The crisis in education will really loom by February 2024.

While on one hand there is the sacrificial efforts of many educators, it coexists with unfortunate hostility to those entering professional bodies. Territorialism with academic thuggery is the order of day, with very little regret by abusers. Happily, the ‘children’ do not suffer as they are part of the super structure to hire, fire, send home, ‘put out ah grass’, etc. No one needs to be educated or challenged. The impact of all this violence hardly makes the classroom safe. It is always in the purview of government to protect their spreadsheet. So, improvements to come? As my mother would say: “Don’t hold your breath.”

Frankly, cockroach don’t have business in fowl fight. In the ‘mean’ time, literally, the bills have to be paid, and food has to be put on the table.

Parents should take responsibility and do what they can to educate their child. Students, too, must just buckle down, learn to earn within the guidelines; but most importantly, know now to transfer that knowledge into everyday life.

School is just a small part of the reality of life. However, an important foundation, which is a must to be able to withstand the storms of carving a career pathway.

CATHERINE NEIL