Who is failing our students?

Last week's Sunday Gleaner featured the story 'Principals, teachers failing students'. In it, Senior Gleaner Writer Erica Virtue outlined some of the negative revelations of the National Education Inspectorate (NEI) for the period September 2011 to March 2012.

The NEI blamed weak leadership and poor management for the underperformance of 86 out of the 205 schools examined. It described the "damning indictment of teachers and principals" in the draft summary of the NEI report. In fact, the piece used 'unsatisfactory' nine times when describing the various findings of the NEI. Among many other things, the piece stated, "Three schools were deemed unsatisfactory in leadership and management and in need of immediate support, while 88 schools were deemed unsatisfactory for teaching and support for student learning, with two in need of immediate support."

It also went on to say that the majority of schools examined were only 'satisfactory'.

UNPLEASANT RELATIONSHIP

Currently, there is an unpleasant relationship between teachers and the minister of education, the Rev Ronald Thwaites, over the issue of leave. This, in addition to escalating official noises that our teachers are not working efficiently (for one reason or another), and now the NEI report is putting additional pressure on our teachers to improve the overall performance of students.

I will not deny that some teachers are not doing their best for their students, but they are a minority. Some carry out their duties just enough to be marked as 'present'. Some teach but give the barest minimum, then encourage students to attend extra lessons (a burgeoning industry that can rake in huge amounts of cash) taught by them.

Several teachers start out their career brimming with passion and lofty goals of turning out brilliant students to uplift our nation. But, after being thoroughly doused with state apathy, pressured to produce better exam results while being crippled by a paucity of resources and frustrated by tenacious idlers for students, they, too, acquiesce and perfunctorily do what they can to survive until their retirement.

Several schools are downright scary and teachers working there end up 'holding their corner' (minding their business and staying out of harm's way). Many students in those schools are not motivated by academia or professional pursuits; they are focused on violence, carnality and shooting, disc-jockeying, stealing or reproducing their way out of poverty. It is nigh impossible to engage them when their minds are always elsewhere.

DON'T VILIFY ADMINISTRATORS

In short, although the total blame for poorly performing schools is often laid squarely at the feet of the teachers/administrators, it is unfair and inaccurate. Vilifying our educators will only lead to more failing schools because we will always be barking up the wrong tree.

Aside from the minority of uncaring and underperforming teachers, many have the right tools (qualification, wherewithal, ability and drive), but the material (students) that they have to work with is often badly (morally) contaminated and hideously (psychologically) misshaped by society. That and the scarcity of books and learning aids make teaching more than a challenge.

Certainly, some principals and teachers are failing the students, but we must ascertain why. Their shortcoming may be caused by situations beyond their control.

And, I believe that we must inundate the communities with social workers in a serious attempt to educate about the need for a good education. We also need to see to the needs of the underprivileged communities where survival has little to do with academic success.

Nationally, we are quick to make heroes of our athletes and celebrate our entertainers but do not showcase our academics similarly. We must highlight the quiet, lifelong satisfaction and security that ONLY a solid education can bring. So, who is failing our students? Our society is.

Garth A. Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and garthrattray@gmail.com.