Latest update March 31st, 2025 5:30 PM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Thoughts about the results of the Grade Six Assessment

Jun 13, 2015 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
I’d like to express my thoughts about the results of the 2015 Grade Six Assessment.
Ever since I was at that stage in my life when I undertook these exams, I looked forward to the release of the results. It brings back memories of a time when I thought I could’ve conquered the world and the only thing in my way was me. Yes, I thought that I was going to be the top student in my time. Oh, what wishful thinking.
I always wondered what it felt like to be on top of the flock, a feeling that I could only imagine.
For Solomon Cherai who took that coveted spot, I applaud you, this is your moment. Yes you’re the champ! I wish you many more successes and I implore you to stay the course by applying yourself diligently in future studies.
For all the students that partook I’d also like to take my hats off to them for mustering the courage to overcome the anxiety of having to write their final primary exams. Even though some may be disappointed, I say the road doesn’t end there.
The results, though very encouraging and rewarding for the many teachers that worked feverishly to ensure that the students fulfill their highest potential, leave many unanswered questions.
At a slight glance what is very clear is the fact that the private schools have dominated the top 100 which brings about somewhat of a melancholic comprehension of the fact that St. Margaret’s, St. Agnes, Sacred Heart, St. Gabriel’s, North Georgetown, et al…are no more the top performing schools and thus no more the schools we undoubtedly want our children to attend.
Instead, we would search every nook and cranny that we have monies stashed away, in order that they too may be a top performer like Solomon Cherai. This creates a dangerous situation, for it further widens the gap between the social elitist and the ordinary man. In past times the wealthy would try all different meandering techniques to get their children enrolled in the top public schools which consequently afforded the children of the lower echelon the necessary interactions to find a common ground for future cooperation.
In the delivery of such an elementary curriculum, I shudder to think that the private schools are recruiting the more capable of teachers; but rather the crop of teachers we’re producing lacks the passionate love for the art that the teachers of the past possessed.
One can only draw a comparison to the situation we currently have in the medical field, as was well described by the Hon. Minister of Health Dr George Norton, where he said “nursing is a calling not just an income earning profession”. It has descended into a mere source of income for many rather than a profession that one does out of passion for it. Quite often many out of school youths struggle to find employment, so they resort to a profession such as teaching, nursing and policing as a backdoor to job security.
It is the duty of the teacher to ensure that every student’s learning needs are catered for, and, in doing so, observations ought to be made in order to assess each strength and weakness, so that themselves together with the parents may work collectively to bring these students up to an acceptable standard.
Conversely the parents ought to nurture good morals such as being obedient, attentive, ambitious and inquisitive from an infant stage, so that the students may enter the teaching institutions well packaged, making the task of teaching and learning much easier. The shortcomings of the teachers and parents are compounded by the social fabric that the policy makers weave. There’s a great need for many more social programmes that address the issue of broken households, degenerate communities, violence etc.
Like many others who have seen the rapid decline in the institutions that moulded us and generations before, I would like to see the restoration of the glory which public teaching institutions once had, for with better education the masses will realize a brighter tomorrow. “It is Time”.
Robert A. Bostwick 

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 28th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

 

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Fantastic Wharton snipes haul-trick in 11-0 win

Fantastic Wharton snipes haul-trick in 11-0 win

Mar 31, 2025

-as Santa Rosa finish atop of Group ‘B’ Kaieteur Sports- Five thrilling matches concluded the third-round stage of the 2025 Milo/Massy Boys’ Under-18 Football Tournament yesterday at the...
Read More
Back Circle bests Gold is Money to retain crown

Back Circle bests Gold is Money to retain crown

Mar 31, 2025

DCC continues winning ways thanks to Imlach masterclass

DCC continues winning ways thanks to Imlach...

Mar 31, 2025

All-round Headquarters retain title in dominant fashion

All-round Headquarters retain title in dominant...

Mar 31, 2025

Yarrowkabra smashes four in Tutorial, as Dolphin, Waramuri Sec’ remain unbeaten

Yarrowkabra smashes four in Tutorial, as Dolphin,...

Mar 30, 2025

Ramesh Chattergoon smacks 110* in ESCL T20, Over-40

Ramesh Chattergoon smacks 110* in ESCL T20,...

Mar 30, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]