Education in crisis

Ronald Mason, Columnist

The report on the CSEC examinations for the academic year 2013 is out. EducateJamaica has released the data on 161 government high schools in the country. The review of the data makes for a troubling conclusion. Despite the proposals and position papers that have been done and the suggestions and recommendations made, the actual results are atrocious.

The Ministry of Education has the second largest slice of the national Budget, second only to the Ministry of Finance. It is evident, however, that most of it is being wasted. Of the 161 schools under review, some 120 are abysmal failures. The worst 10 have percentages in the range of 2.6% to 0% for students having attained five passes in one sitting.

Yes, I can hear the bleating that low-tiered schools get poor students and can only take them so far. That is not a viable response. The teachers are supposed to be trained, professional and competent. One could even get carried away and allow the term nicely offered 'experts', but this is way off the mark. Gratefully, this report deals only with the high schools.

What is even more disappointing is that both the minister of education, the good reverend, and the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) president are lacking in the fortitude to get the job done. Jamaica, under their stewardship, can look forward to the output from schools not being able to equip students for jobs at the levels required for the 21st century and beyond.

Damage control

The head of the JTA recently had to do damage control for his organisation from the very ill-conceived utterance to teachers that money overpaid to them should not be returned. That's theft. Theft by conversion, as they come into the overpaid money by actions of another and then refuse to turn it over. Rob the bank, flee, drop the proceeds of the theft. It is picked up by another unconnected to the theft, but claimed by the old phrase 'finders keepers, losers weepers'.

The only problem with that is in this case, it is so-called leaders of the teaching profession engaged in the exercise. Dr Mark Nicely was able to doctor the utterances and nicely finesse same.

Teachers are hired by school boards and paid by the Ministry of Education. Dr Nicely wants the teachers to defy the pay source, as they have difficulty firing them. Here is the quote attributed to him; "My recommendation, frankly (rather arrogantly, as if addressing a corpse and not a corps of societal leaders) is that you proceed until you are apprehended, and when you are apprehended, the JTA will be there to 'treat' with the matter."

If the Ministry of Education - and specifically the reverend minister of education - does not fire these apologists for teachers, if they are "apprehended", he lacks the requisite fortitude to make a difference in the Jamaican education quagmire. However, one must conclude that nothing will be done, as the ministry is only disappointed by the marked admonition.

History of supporting PNP

Enough of this political gamesmanship. The JTA has a history of supporting the PNP and it has now got to the state where the tail is wagging the dog. Painfully, the students are the ones who get the worst of this bargain. Who is really in charge of education in Jamaica? Why are we depriving the vast majority of the students? Yes, I know a few pockets of excellence are to be found in the system. Those teachers are cowed. They must join the trade union and toe the line. They must remain silent, as teachers use the schools' tax-exempt status to purchase televisions, refrigerators and other electronic gadgets for themselves, aided and abetted by the school administrations. The schools should recognise that the knowledge of these things has left the compound.

The Ministry of Education cannot transfer teachers except with their full consent. They are hired by a school board, which is headed mostly by some political activist for a specific school. The fact that the demographics have changed and the teacher corps is too large is of no moment to the JTA.

In an attempt to bring pressure on this abysmal education system, we need to have a public-interest law firm that will seek to evaluate the education outcome and match it against the promise and undertaking of the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Could it be that the interpretation of the courts will be the most effective measure to get a proficient education system for our children?

Today there are 65,000 persons between the ages of 18 and 24 years of age looking for a job. The jobs for hewers of wood and drawers of water are few and far between. The challenge to live and raise a family on the minimum wage of J$5,500 per week is about an impossibility. Denial of an education characterised quality, challenge and recognised outcomes should be an act for which the court might fashion a remedy. Mark the defendants. The claimants are the thousands who are poorly served.

Ronald Mason is an immigration attorney, mediator, and talk-show host. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and nationsagenda@gmail.com