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Unfair criticism of our educational system

Aug 31, 2013 Letters

 

Dear Editor,
I have been following with interest the numerous letters and articles in the various newspapers commenting on Guyana’ education system. Some letter writers make it seem as if the Ministry of Education does not have professional officers who understand what is required to improve the education system.
The letter written by Annan Boodram identifies theories of learning and strategies that could be used. Nothing is new there. Guyanese educators are familiar with those strategies and are using them. Unfortunately, the results in Mathematics do not meet the expectations of the Ministry. While this is a cause for concern and the Ministry admits it, it does not mean that the education system is in crisis. Mr. Annan lives in America and should know that even in that great country students are experiencing difficulties in Mathematics and Governments have to invest heavily in after school and summer programmes to help students “catch up”. This is true for Canada as well. Even so, a great majority fail to meet the standards. These countries do not condemn the entire education system but look at the performance of individual schools for further intervention or action.
The most outrageous comments came from David Hinds who suggest and I quote “And that class polarization in some instances, though not across the board, has an ethnic look to it.  We have developed a kind of social apartheid in education that is reflected in the results.” It is the first time that such a comment has been made and I am wondering if it had anything to do with the ethnicity of the students who were top performers this year. This is such a shame and this is what will lead to polarization of the population.
The Ministry of Education has no control over all the variables which affect learning and performance and these include poverty, the effect of technological gadgets which mostly the rich have, the health and well being of students and involvement of parents in their children’s education but whatever interventions are made and whatever resources are provided, are distributed equitably. To appreciate this, one has to look at the results of other examinations, not only at the school level but at the tertiary level and post-secondary institutions, as well as other areas of learning and participation.
I conclude by congratulating all the top performers. You have done yourself, your school, your community and all Guyana proud. I wish to encourage the Minister of Education to continue working towards the improvement of the Education system and not to be disheartened by those who do not make constructive criticisms.
Observer

 

 

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