Who holds our teachers accountable?

By Jaevion Nelson

One hundred and twenty schools across the island are wasting taxpayers' money. That's really what the recently published Educate Jamaica (educatejamaica.org) secondary school ranking, based on the 2013 CSEC passes, shows. There is no point in those of us who went to the top 30 or so schools prancing around, beating our chests about the success of our respective schools when the vast majority of schools are failing our children.

According to the data, these 120 schools have failed miserably. Less than 50 per cent of their students obtained at least five subjects, including mathematics and English. In fact, a whopping 125 schools shamefully have less than 30 per cent of their students obtaining five subjects.

The situation is dreadful and should be treated as a critical matter by everyone, not just the education minister. Do we realise that 91 of our schools have less than 20 per cent of their students obtaining the minimum needed to advance their students and make them more competitive in the labour market? Fifty-five schools have less than 10 per cent of their cohorts obtaining the minimum. Robert Lightbourne High (0%), Trench Town High (0.8%) and Innswood High (0.9%) did not even manage to get one per cent of their students passing the bare minimum!

What surprises me is the performance of some of the schools that are celebrated for their prowess in athletics. Look at the top five schools for Boys and Girls' Champs. The academic performance is just miserable. Edwin Allen High, the 2014 Girls' Champs winner, ranks 68th of 161 schools with only 23.2% of students passing the minimum five. St Jago High, the second-place winner, is at 31 on the table, with 60.7%; that's acceptable. Holmwood High, which was fourth this year but has been dominating the championships in the last couple of years, is at 77th with 16.5%, and Vere Technical, the fifth-place winner, is all the way down at 91 with 13.2% of students obtaining at least five subjects, including mathematics and English. The Boys' Champs winners aren't as bad. Calabar ranks at 45 with 43.8%; Kingston College, 29 with 70.3%; Jamaica College; 34 with 59%; and St Elizabeth Technical, 47 with 39.4%.

VISION 2030 APPROACHING

What is really happening? We are less than two decades away from Vision 2030!

I know there are myriad challenges with our education system. However, I doubt there is any plausible explanation for this horrific situation, especially because the data have not changed much over the last few years.

What on earth are our teachers doing? What are they being paid to do if the vast majority of students aren't even able to pass a minimum of five subjects? The top 50 schools in the country do not all have more than 50 per cent of its students performing at an acceptable level!

Who holds our teachers accountable for their gross negligence? For failing our students, for failing the nation? What responsibility/duty do principals have to ensure their staff are actually training the next generation of leaders? How are we managing principals and senior teachers out of their position, or the education system, for that matter, if they fail to improve the performance of their students? Is the Jamaica Teachers' Association aware of what is happening?

It's frightening that it is hardly ever a surprise to us which high (secondary) schools will be among the top performers on the league table (based on CSEC passes). We can even guess which schools the most hardened of criminals will come from - because that is expected.

It's unfathomable that we all seem to be so comfortable. We need to develop strategies for these schools that are falling below average. We need to begin to ensure that teachers are held accountable for the failure of their students. The vast majority of our students could not be so inept and carefree about their education. What is the role of the school boards in all of this? Are they aware of how badly their schools are doing or are they more concerned about the mission of those who appoint them to positions?

We need to get to the root of the problem and find a route out of this predicament urgently!

Jaevion Nelson is a youth development, HIV and human rights advocate. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and jaevion@gmail.com.