Mark Titus, Freelance Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Greater autonomy will be given to school administrations to make decisions on matters that affect their institutions, before the close of the 2006-2007 school year.

"One of the points raised by principals in a recent meeting, is the need for them to have the confidence of the ministry in making decisions that affect the school. So, during the course of this year we will be doing more school-based management," Minister of Education and Youth, Maxine Henry-Wilson, said inthe keynote address at the Jamaica Teachers' Association Conference in Montego Bay on Tuesday.

The conference, which is being held under the theme 'Teaching for Success, Reaching Every Learner', ends today. Representatives are attending the event from Grand Cayman, Bermuda and other parts of the Caribbean.

"Everything will not have to come to the ministry and then back to the schools, but having an understanding of their own context, they (school administrators) will be allowed to carry out certain initiatives," Mrs. Henry-Wilson said.

More responsibility

The minister, however, made it clear that with this authority comes more responsibility.

The policy decision reportedly came out of a meeting held last week Monday to examine the recent upsurge of violence in schools. At least five male students were left with stab wounds after violence broke out at the Kingston Technical High School last month. Prior to that, two male students sexually harassed a female teacher, while a male teacher was hit with a bottle after he confiscated papers from students who were reportedly cheating during a mock examination.

Another student was reported to have stabbed his 17-year-old schoolmate to death at another institution.

These incidents and others, have prompted the call for school administrations and their boards to be given greater authority.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Henry-Wilson told the over 330 teachers at the conference that more financing does not necessarily lead to improved performance.

"The countries that are doing the best in the world such as Finland, Thailand and smaller countries like New Zealand, despite having a threshold of funding, concentrate more on focused interventions and that is what makes the difference," she contended.

She announced that two new bodies will be set up - the National Assessment Body and the National Inspectorate - to carry out duties as independent professionals of the ministry.