Parents, students lack seriousness
Published:Monday | February 28, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Jermaine Francis, Gleaner Writer
CHAPelTON, Clarendon:
WITH THE Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) mere weeks away, teachers at the Chapelton and Rock all-age schools in Clarendon are complaining that some parents of grade-six students are not actively playing their part in preparing students for the examination.
The teachers also say one of the greatest challenges they have is getting students to take the GSAT seriously.
"The parents lack interest, sometimes they don't even provide the textbooks for the children and when you have PTA meetings very few attend. As such, you find that the students' interest is also lacking," noted acting principal of Rock All-Age School, Jennifer Williamson.
Brown Brown, a grade-six teacher at Chapelton All-Age, said due to the lack of parental support children are given assignments, but do not complete them because no one is at home to ensure that they get done.
Merttle Clair, a guardian of one of the students who will be sitting the GSAT at Rock All-Age School, said parents were trying to get involved, but there is room for improvement. She said a lot of parents are working and do not necessarily have the time to attend every PTA meeting, but should try to find out what their children are doing in school.
Meanwhile, the teachers say the shortage of textbooks add to the difficulties they encounter in delivering the lessons. Anthony Watson, a grade-six teacher at Chapelton All-Age, said the Ministry of Education usually provides a set of textbooks, but for the last two years they have not got any of these books.
Strategies in place
But despite these challenges, the administrators at these schools have put in place different strategies that they hope will help to enhance the students' performance come March.
According to Williamson, at Rock All-Age, there is a specialised teacher for each subject.
"We do this because of the teachers' aptitude. One teacher might be stronger at math while another one may be able to deliver communication task at a higher standard, so the students get the best teaching in each subject area," stated Williamson.
Jeremiah Golding, principal of Chapelton-All-Age, said greater emphasis is being placed on literacy because this seems to be a problem within the school.
"We are placing a greater level of importance on literacy not just at the grade-six level but as soon as students enter the school. So, by the time they reach grade six, they are reading at their grade level or above this," Golding said.
The teachers at both schools say they also have extra lessons to help the students to complete the syllabus in time for the exams. At Rock-All-Age, Williamson noted that classes are held 7:30 in the mornings and in the evenings after school. She added that the school provides breakfast for these students who attend the morning classes.
In the meantime, the students at both schools say they are currently doing mock exams. They say these examinations along with the extra lessons are building their confidence level and they feel prepared thus far.
Romaine Clair, a student of Rock All-Age, said because of the extra lessons, he understands more and he is looking forward to the exams. While Brandy Page, the head girl at Chapelton All-Age, said she is studying more and ensuring that she attends all her classes along with the extra lessons.