THE EDITOR, Sir:
I AM tired of the shallow assessment aired by these 'outsiders' - the persons who are not part of the school system and have a teacup of knowledge to bellow at the public.
My peeve, however, is the emphasis placed on teacher performance. The darts have been aimed and oh, how intensely have the arrows pierced! One cannot deny the fact that some teachers are not doing their jobs, but the many who are assiduously exercising their skills are bruised by factors such as:
absence of parental guidance/ interest of parents in students' work
lack of resources
the get-rich-quick mentality displayed by many students as a result of society's indulgence in lottery winnings, drugs, etc.
students' failure to respond to the education system because they fear they will not find jobs after leaving high schools, or cannot afford to finance a higher education. (Please bear in mind the Students' Loan Bureau does not and cannot cater for everybody).
lack of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation
With the above stated factors in mind, I would like Mr. Jerome Henry, who commented on student's performance being based on the teacher's commitment and methodology (May 20, 2004), to think carefully before squealing, or perhaps a section of his article is missing. Yes, I am in the system, young and trying to make a difference, along with my colleagues.
I cannot close this letter without addressing the policy makers, the education officers and those who lecture the course Classroom Behaviour and Management at Teachers' Colleges. Why aren't you saying anything?
I am willing to make way for you to be in the classroom for a day; yes just one day, then tell me if you are being realistic. I will gladly occupy your chair for that period.
I suggest that all angles of the education system be critically analysed before blaming poor performance of students solely on the teachers.
I am, etc.,
Y. SAMUDA
Samuda200@yahoo.com
May Pen, Clarendon
