THE EDITOR, Sir:

The article, 'When the boy is the victim (Pt. 1)' by Paul H. Williams that was published in your newspaper on March 5, 2007, underscores the need for adequately trained school personnel to detect and correct behavioural disorders and abusive situations among our children, within the context of family. Having worked in a traditional high school for boys for several years, I am familiar with the pernicious home environment of some of the students.

The Ministry of Education and The Education Transformation Unit have failed to convince the nation that they know how to achieve optimal success in the transformation of education. Success depends on family stability. The laissez-faire attitude of both entities belies any sense of urgency. What is the purpose of a detailed report of the haemorrhage in education and a comprehensive list of corrective measures to be undertaken sans the appropriate stages of implementation and expressed action?

I have raised several concerns, publicly and privately, and am yet to see improvements in the sector. Our elected functionaries imply 'change' as coterminous with 'transformation' and have misrepresented the facts to portray progress in education.

I believe a new and effective approach is needed to improve the teaching-learning environment, with particular emphasis on students from at-risk backgrounds. Guidance counsellors are ill-equipped to handle the large number of cases that are brought to their attention. Assuch, an adequate support system is necessary, especially in light of the rapid disintegration of the family. Schools could be placed in clusters and a counsellor assigned to each cluster of 10 schools. One cluster may include St. George's College, Clan Carty High, Clan Carty Primary, Kingston College, Holy Trinity High, Jessie Ripoll Primary, Convent of Mercy (Alpha), Alpha Primary, St. Aloysius Primary, and St. George's Girls. Two of the most maladaptive children from each school would be referred to the counsellor who would incorporate their families into a pastoral care and counselling programme.

In such a situation, a counsellor would be aware of strengths and weaknesses within a household and formulate strategies, with the help of support services, to guide the family toward transformation. As each family becomes independent, a new family is added to the list with a maximum of 20 families per counsellor. I know this plan is likely to work because a few years ago.

I had implemented a successful programme of family empowerment that relied on pastoral care and counselling techniques. It would be worthwhile for the Ministry of Education and the Education Transformation Project Unit to review their procedural arrangements for transformation in education.

I am, etc.,

Dr. YVONNE M. BRIGHT

Educator

P.O.Box 5861

Kingston 6