'It's my choice where I school my children'

THERE ARE approximately 300,000 children in Jamaica who are at the primary school age. Of that number, 40,000 attend prep schools which are not part of the public-school system. Up to two months ago, my sons were enrolled in a prep school, like the children of many other Jamaican parents, prime ministers and ministers of education before me.

My sons are age seven and nine, respectively. We pay close attention to their education. As parents of boys, we have become very sensitive to their particular learning styles and needs. One of my sons was not focused and attentive in his class and was falling behind. Despite several interventions, we came to the conclusion that it would be best to create an individualised learning solution that would cater to his interest and stimulate his appetite for knowledge while teaching him in the way he learns best. My wife decided that she would manage the process. We were concerned about issues of socialisation, therefore, our sons still participate in physical education and other activities at their school. However, for classes they are in a focused environment.

Helping dropouts

This experience has given me a deeper understanding of the teaching/learning process. The ASTEP initiative is based on my personal experience that the education system (private or public) must be more flexible to all learning styles. There are many students in our school system who fall behind precisely because of the didactic nature of education delivery. ASTEP is designed to deliver a rich learning experience for children who would otherwise be discarded or left behind in the mainstream education system. It is a more flexible and accommodating programme in which students are exposed to diverse teaching strategies.

My wife has also declared her own interest in helping boys, particularly those who have dropped out of the school system and have sought refuge on our streets.

I acknowledge my role as a moral leader in education and I see my action as a consistent example for all parents to take actions in the best interest of their children's education. I encourage all parents to support the learning needs of their children and, as minister of education, I have championed reforms that have seen a more child-friendly, public-school system. The increase in the Grade Four Literacy results and our steady movement towards universal literacy are unassailable achievements in Jamaica under my administration.

A duty to answer

As a political figure, I have a duty to answer all questions from the press and from the people of Jamaica, even those questions that are of a private and personal nature. While I would want my children not to be bounded or affected by my service to the nation, as it is a path I have chosen and they have no choice in the matter, it would be impractical to expect otherwise, given the competitive nature and season of our politics.

Nevertheless, I reserve the right to reject criticisms from those in the Opposition who have also made a similar choice, sending their children to private elite boarding institutions abroad. They also seek to represent the people, thereby bearing the same moral obligation as I do. However, they do not disclose their actions, claiming them as private. The press should investigate them as well to ensure that those who criticise are not guilty of their own criticism.

While I am sure my children will be affected by this attention, I am certain that as a result there will be many more parents in Jamaica faced with similar challenges that will be more empowered and aware of the options they have in supporting the education of their children.

Andrew Holness

Prime Minister of Jamaica