EXITING THE CLASSROOM FOR GREENER PASTURES

Nov 03, 2015 Editorial, Features / Columnists

Guest Editorial

The American Muslim Minister and human rights activist, the late Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little, said: Education is the passport to the future; for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.
Had the previous government heeded this message, our students would have done much better at school, especially in mathematics and the core science subjects—chemistry and physics. While the excellent performance by a number of students is commendable, it does not reveal the full picture about the pass and failures in Mathematics and the core science subjects.
It is estimated that more than 60 percent of students fail Mathematics and science compared to a lower rate in the Caribbean. President David Granger described the performance as unsatisfactory and unacceptable in a knowledge based world and that this trajectory cannot continue if Guyana is to compete with the Caribbean. He suggested that more emphasis should be placed on mathematics and the core sciences, given the general fear of these subjects by a significant number of students.
Furthermore, the results should have convinced the former Minister of Education to focus less on the outstanding academic performances of a few and more on the poor performance of the many in the public schools.
Something is seriously wrong with the public education system because too many students are failing Mathematics and the core sciences. The Ministry of Education has to motivate students in the pursuit of these subjects.
Family support, though important, is not the only element that would keep young people engaged in learning. The school environment is also critically important. Over the years, questions and concerns have been raised about the school curriculum, teaching methods and support services, all of which define the education experience.
It is known that mathematics and science teachers are in high demand in Guyana and elsewhere, but their remuneration is poor and their working conditions are chaotic. As a consequence, many science and Mathematics teachers are being enticed to leave teaching—a noble profession—for more lucrative positions both locally and overseas. Additionally, the high level of indiscipline among students is another factor that is contributing to the exodus of qualified and dedicated teachers. Teachers should not be blamed for leaving the profession for better opportunities, because at the end of the day, they are desirous of living a comfortable life. The last government has done very little to curb the high attrition rate of teachers of mathematics and the core sciences across the country.
According to statistics, some 48 Mathematics and science teachers left the country during the past year for greener pastures and the number is expected to rise. The exodus of teachers from the classrooms speaks to the gravity of the problem in the country and its inability to retain Mathematics and science teachers.
In most instances, those teachers who have left the country are the most experienced and brightest. Unless efforts are made by the new government to address this long-standing problem by paying teachers decent wages, it will only get worse. The on-going brain drain will have a negative impact oneducation, the economy and the government’s efforts to achieve sustainable development.
The exodus of Mathematics and science teachers from the classrooms should be a cause of grave concern for everyone—parents and students alike. It would be very difficult for the Ministry of Education to develop a curriculum for its Science and Mathematics programme without its most qualified, experienced and dedicated science teachers.
Guyana will pay a heavy price if creative measures are not put in place urgently to reverse the trend.In the words of Nelson Mandela, “Education is the most powerful weapon which one can use to change the world.”

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