LETTER OF THE DAY - The JTA's blunder

The Editor, Sir:

Our education sector finds itself in a sticky position. First, there was the awarding of a 'failing grade' by a well-known Jamaican pollster and education bystander concerning the underperformance of our secondary schools in Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC). Then came the disturbing and mind-boggling result of our primary schools underperformance in numeracy. Matters are made even worse because of the industrial action taken by our teachers.

These pieces of bad news that stole the education spotlight over the last week could not have come at a worse time. This week, the nation is supposed to be celebrating 'Education Week'. The Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA), the professional arm of teachers, is making another blunder. Instead, the association should use Education Week as a week of fasting, where the nation should be kneeling in sackcloth and ashes bemoaning the state of the education sector.

Yes, I have heard the arguments about a binding agreement in regard to the payment of monies owed to us teachers. One ought to bear in mind, though, that due to the changing economic environment in which we operate an agreement can be revised and a commitment can be broken. I am sure that all well-thinking pundits will tell you that there is no hard and fast rule that says you have to stick to an agreement, even to the detriment of the greater good.

Successful governments continue to pump billions of dollars into the education system, which seem to be going up in smoke or into a sinkhole. Monies spent on education should be able to add value to the system but every time we change it is the more we remain the same or even end up worse. Whose fault is it? Why is it that some schools are doing better than others? These are two questions that I am seeking answers for. Can anyone supply me with the answers?

key stakeholders

As an educator and administrator, I find that the task of reinventing the wheel of our education system is an uphill one. The key stakeholders, such as the parents and the teachers, will have to be willing to adapt to the constant innovations that the sector demands. With the implementation of those innovations one can expect the 'school culture' to be affected. One often hears the more seasoned teachers in any school who are reluctant to change say that this is not how we do it around here, or this is how we are accustomed to doing it. The new-look education system that I am expecting to see is one that will clearly establish itself as one whose mission is to remind its constituents that the illiterates of the 21st century are not those who cannot read and write but those who cannot learn, relearn and unlearn.

It may be a hard saying but one that should not be taken lightly, that some of our teachers cannot learn, unlearn and relearn, and maybe that is the reason why our students are underperforming and the education system finds itself in the present educational doldrums. Something stinks in the state of Denmark and we need to find out what it is.

I am, etc.,

HARVEY A. BROWN

Harveybrown2008@yahoo. com