Primary Education: The Plight

GraceKennedy Remittance Services Ltd. has an initiative whereby the company donates books to primary schools, and staff members visit primary schools and read for the children; a little break from the hussle and bussle for both parties involved.

I had the privilege of visiting three primary schools today; they shall remain nameless for now. The challenges are many and varied. What jumped out at me though was that the problems CAN be addressed, and if parents don't invest their time and energy into the schools their children attend, the problems will never go away.

I will list some of the challenges:

• More books needed for the library
• Lack of a computer room
• Poor infrastructure
• The children that learn differently need more resources
• Teachers restricted by too much admin work
• More specialist teachers needed for certain subject areas
• I could go on for a while with this list but I will cut it here

However, all the schools were very clean; I was quite impressed with that. Also, a grade 3 class where I read was very disciplined and attentive, big up Ms Warden. And a grade 6 class at a different school was quite impressive as well, big up Ms Coward. A special big up also to Ms Douglas.

My child goes to Jessie Ripoll and I can tell you that the vibrant PTA and parent involvement HELP to make that school what it is. They face challenges as well, but that well oiled machine is not successful by accident. 

Parents/Guardians need to buy into the schools their children attend and find a way to help in any way, shape or form. I have now come to the simple conclusion that the Government is not going to do what is necessary, or maybe it can't. My highly placed 'Source' has another spin on things. She feels more accountability needs to be placed on the leadership within the education system.

Whichever it is, the majority of our children can't continue to learn in the circumstances they currently do and we ALL need to see the relevance of our participation in their learning and education. What is even more bothersome to me is that my 'Source' has kindly informed me that some of the challenges I raised are only the tip of the iceberg....NOT GOOD.

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© 2013 Antonio Bell. All rights reserved

Disclaimer

All the commentary posted in this publication are my personal view(s) and do not reflect the view(s) of any Association, Federation or Governing Body.