LETTER OF THE DAY - Teachers, take a bow
Published:Friday | July 9, 2010 | 12:00 AM
The Editor, Sir:
I am happy to see the level of achievement in the primary schools and how students have excelled, especially in mathematics. I am also surprised that the teachers were not brought into focus as well. Students could not have done it without their teachers.
Between February and June this year, there has been a vast improvement in the mathematical skills in the primary schools. Earlier, Ministry of Education officials had chided the teachers for non-performance, and proposals were made for performance-based pay. There was even 'the threat' to bring in overseas mathematics teachers to boost the math departments. I have not learnt of any overseas input to date, yet there has been significant improvement.
For years, Jamaicans have looked overseas for help, and not understanding that this is demoralising to the teaching profession. Ironically, while Jamaicans are looking for help from overseas, foreign-based agencies are craving for Jamaican teachers. Russell Bell was a great Jamaican math teacher and I have never heard his name or his work mentioned in this respect.
The Ministry of Education may not have the capacity to spot talent within the teaching profession. However, in the absence of that skill, common sense should be our guide. Why can't the ministry find ways to motivate the teachers to continue performing at this level? I dare say that individual schools have mastered the motivational skills that have encouraged the teachers to perform at exceptionally high levels. Teachers are not only motivators in their own circles, but motivators of parents as well. Some schools have designed unique ways of motivating their teachers, in spite of non-recognition by the ministry.
Teachers have been asked to perform with the limited resources available to them and these individuals have been working as mediators, counsellors and family advisors, to encourage the students to perform. Others have been offering financial assistance from the little that they are earning to support their own families.
SPECIAL SKILLS
The teacher has to take the time out to understand how the minds of students work and how to diagnose the difficulty they encounter with math. He or she has to consider three different students experiencing three different problem areas in one mathematical expression. That teacher has to identify where each child went wrong in order to get his or her class to move on. Our Jamaican teachers are doing a wonderful job and I salute you all.
I am, etc.,
DEVON KING