Time To Exhale GSAT Students

Now that the GSAT results were released, some test takers can breathe a sigh of relief. The expectation of passing the test means that these young children must carry a weight on their shoulders and can only release this weight if they pass the test and are assigned to a “good” school. One student‘s account of preparation indicates that attending church was the only break away from preparing for the test. This student is not alone since a great deal of pressure is placed on other young minds.  As such, parents contribute to a stressful atmosphere since parents generally expect their children to attain high scores so as to be assigned to a “good” school. In addition, stress is transmitted by teachers whose rate of passes is regarded as an indication of the teacher’s proficiency. Principals are also involved in the student’s stress since the Ministry of Education regards the results as a reflection of the school’s success or failure. Those students who take extra lessons must contend with additional pressure to pass since the instructor’s reputation is associated with the number of passes. The pressure of students to pass even extends to some communities as residents celebrate in the streets on hearing that a school has produced a number of passes. Finally, students are stressed on knowing that they must achieve high scores to be considered by the Ministry of Education for a “good” school. Those students who pass the exam can exhale and relax during summer. But, those who do pass must endure another year of pressure from parents, teacher, principal, extra lessons instructor, community, and the Ministry of Education. Is this what we want for our children?

Lead By Example

Dr. Peter Phillips announced that the government cannot afford the salary increase requests of public sector workers. Information provided by various financial analysts clearly supports Dr. Phillips’s statement that the government may not be in a position to provide the increases that would enable government workers to afford the high cost of living. However, Dr. Phillips’ suggestion for the population to begin living within their means is quite ironic. For the population to do so, it will be necessary for Dr. Phillips and other government ministers to lead by example.  If workers need to make sacrifices, then certainly government ministers can: take a pay cut of their salary; cut the financial perks that include entertainment expense accounts; cut back on the excessive travelling with their entourage to the United States and distant continents; decrease their support staff that attends to their homes, transportation, and security. The list of frivolity that the government indulges in that causes them to live above their means could save tax payers millions of dollars. Dr. Phillips made a good suggestion, but first he and ministers need to show the population that they are willing to make personal financial sacrifices versus simply expecting only the population to bear the burdens of the country.

Too Much Nepotism and Favoritism in Jamaica

Matondo Mukulu says it best - there is too much nepotism and favoritism in Jamaica. While this behavior is rewarding to the "connected", it is one of the contributors to the countries' inability to mirror the successes that have been achieved by other Caribbean countries.  In fact, so many talented Jamaicans have migrated or will be migrating in the future since nepotism and favoritism have locked them out of gaining opportunities to live a quality life. So, as nepotism and favoritism dictate the progress, wealth, and power of some, the country will continue to lose bright young professionals such as Mr. Mukulu who are simply fed up with unethical, political and private entities that continue to support a "who know you" system.

Segregation of High School Students

Minister Ronald Thwaites’ statement on the high school placement of GSAT students ignited a long standing concern.  After many voiced their opposition against placing students at high schools in their communities, the Ministry of Education issued a statement to reassure that the standard placement procedures would continue except for those unassigned students. The ministry’s statement indicates that the easy way to deal with the matter is to continue the age old problem of segregating students in schools based on their intelligence and family income if applicable. There seems to be no solution that will allow all high schools to share in the enrollment of a wide cross section of different learning abilities within the student population. The unacceptable placement practices create continued success of students at schools that are deemed to be superior to other schools where high standards are not considered the norm. If we want all students to have an opportunity to succeed then a better solution is needed than relying on the current high school placement practices which continues to be a disservice to so many children.

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