Education in Jamaica
Recently, the Minister for Education, Andrew Holness, has been in the news on many occasions, be it rating primary school principals or expressing what he really thinks about the GSAT. Andrew Holness has not been forceful in his ability and he has not led in the right areas as Minister for Education.
When in opposition, Holness served as opposition Minister for Education, which would have given him adequate insight into inefficiencies within the ministry and provided a framework for changing policy. What have we seen of this Minister? Holness is on the news blaming everyone but himself for failing to eradicate inequity and change policies in his ministry. We owe it to the younger generation to develop an education system that is fair and gives them the best education so that they are productive for this rapidly changing world.
Clearly, there are issues with the GSAT syllabus that need to be ironed out. Annually, we complain about how stressful the curriculum is and about the many flaws in the exam where sixth graders are judged on topics that will be covered at higher levels. Next year around this time we will continue to discuss the failures in the exam. Are we seeing a cycle here?
Blaming teachers’ colleges for accepting teachers who are not up to the task cannot be accepted. Holness has the power to influence teachers’ colleges to improve their standards for the benefit of the educational product. I am frustrated with Holness shifting the blame and highlighting the facts we already know. Holness must stand firm and make the changes that must be made in order for our educational system to improve and give our children the best opportunities.
Next year by now we should be stating that the requirements in teachers’ colleges have been improved; curriculum changes were implemented to make the test relevant to sixth graders; the relationship between teacher and students was reduced, among other things. When will we get serious and hold Andrew Holness accountable for the shortcomings in the Ministry of Education? After all, he is responsible.