Inadequate education comparisons
Published:Tuesday | October 19, 2010 | 12:00 AM
The Editor, Sir:
Robert Shippe's letter published in your paper on October 18, states that the United States of America's elementary and secondary school system is a failure and that Jamaica's education system is a success despite its challenges. He applauded Keith Noel for pointing this out. I read the same article by Noel and I did not walk away with the same message, but I would rather Noel comment on Robert's conclusions to his letter.
In today's world, success is based on results. Just ask Rene Simoes. The results from both educational systems do not suggest that either of them is successful. But amid the failures, there are victories. The administrators of both systems need to look at what brought victories and try to improve them.
A letter was written in the paper recently that mentioned that a school in New York City attained 98 per cent pass rate for its students. Those students were of African decent, which is not normal in the United States. The letter also mentioned that success was achieved when all stake-holders (Government, parents, educators, businesses) rallied around a common goal.
Shippe also mentioned that Jamaica "must stop copying America's ignorance", but the systems are the same. The difference is, Americans can splurge the cash and we Jamaicans can't. We would be fools not to copy such a system or parts of that system. What Jamaicans should not copy is the execution of strategy because we will not have the resources of the Americans.
The United States of America has many great elementary and secondary institutions producing outstanding students. So, too, does Jamaica. The problem for both countries is educating the poor. A single school in New York City achieved so much success, so what can we copy to get children from poor communities producing at this level, Robert?
I am, etc.,
GARFIELD GAYLE
Rosedale, NY