Temper education goals with realism

The Editor, Sir:

While it is commendable that there is a new thrust to have every child between the ages of three and 16 enrolled in schools, one should be mindful of the problem of over-crowding and its implications for the teaching-learning process.

It is all good and well to have every child in school, but really how beneficial is it or will it be for them if children who are performing significantly below their grade levels are crammed 50 or more in a class? While teachers are innovative and resourceful individuals, it now becomes a daunting task to to bring these children to a place where they can realise their true or maximum potential.

Classes are literally bursting at the seams. what kind of quality education are we really offering our children and in the same breath we talk about promoting citizenry? Basic resources are inadequate to meet the number of students, who are non-readers, to make their learning experience a less frustrating one.

Drawback

I wonder if these policymakers have ever spent one day in a classroom or have ever been in the shoe of a teacher? I am aware that God was the greatest teacher ever and that teachers should aspire to be God-like, but the drawback to this is that they don't have any of His supernatural powers.

The system will never improve if people are not realistic and clear about what it is that we are hoping to achieve.

We should also refrain from comparing ourselves to First-World countries, especially since we do not have anywhere near the same facilities and/or resources of these countries. There is nothing wrong with being ambitious but there must be an element of realism.

I am, etc.,

A REALIST

Kingston 13