Equity, not meritocracy

The Editor, Sir:

It is interesting to hear persons refer to some schools as 'traditional high' schools and others as 'non-performing' high schools. We should be seeking to create equity in secondary education and not to further perpetuate elitism.

Yes, our children work hard and should be rewarded by going to a 'good' school. However, what is a good school? Simply put, it is any school where students excel. Note, I said students not teachers. Good teachers are everywhere, but what makes a good school is the students. So once we have high-performing students placed together, we will have a high-performing school that is typically the 'traditional' high schools.

Over the years, non-traditional high schools have added value and turned out students who are successful in various fields. But we do not hear much ado about that.

Perpetuates meritocracy

This practice further perpetuates meritocracy which is coming straight from our colonial past. We should be concentrating on honing our children and thereby our human capital. This human capital will not be equipped to move the country forward into the 21st century and realise the goals set out in 'Vision 2030'.

Vision 2030 demands that we turn out students who can fit in a globalised world and not be a product of the past. How are we going to realise these goals? Education is the key. Develop an educational system that:

Place students in schools based on geographical location.

Filter them into specialist schools which provide the skills sets that the students want and what the society demands.

Radical change in the education system is what we need to move the country forward and the transformation should begin now.

I am, etc.,

SOPHIA SHORTER

Linstead