Dear Editor,
The Jamaica Teachers' Association's (JTA) behaviour towards the present minister of education seems to mirror the actions of the 'Tea Party' wing of the Republican Party towards President Obama in the US. Any policy proposed by the minister must be opposed; even if it is a good idea.
The need to standardise thetextbooks used in schools is a long-standing issue. Many parents already have to find absurd amounts of money to give to their children for taxi fares because of a ridiculous placement system. To burden them with more expense for books that are hardly ever used is counterproductive.
The need to standardise thetextbooks used in schools is a long-standing issue. Many parents already have to find absurd amounts of money to give to their children for taxi fares because of a ridiculous placement system. To burden them with more expense for books that are hardly ever used is counterproductive.
In an environment in which access to school was easy, the JTA's position would have some validity. It would be good if teachers were free to determine what material their students need and require that parents provide it. But this will prove to be unrealistic for some time to come.
I hope that standardisation of books is only the first step towards developing common programmes, requiring common material, that will allow schools to share resources. Schools in Mandeville, for instance should be able to have collaborative departmental meetings at the end of the summer holidays, where they share resources and develop common question banks for assessment.
I envision a system in which students would spend one or two sessions watching a video on linear equations after which they would be given worksheets. Teachers would then act as supervisors to monitor groups, each of which would be led by a more capable student, helping them where they have a problem. Whatever additional material students need can be obtained via the Internet and photocopied for the students. There is a great deal of such material on the Internet that can be legitimately downloaded and photocopied. At any rate, a teacher could still use it to develop a lesson plans or make required notes to give to students.
Even if it is shown that this is not so good an idea, it is the sort of thing the JTA leadership should spend their time thinking about so that they can come up with suggestions to move the system forward. The danger of their present attitude is that the public will begin to treat them in the same way that they treat the minister and not take them seriously when they are on solid ground making objections that need to be made.
R Howard Thompson
Mandeville
JTA objection counterproductive
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The Jamaica Teachers' Association's (JTA) behaviour towards the present minister of education seems to mirror the actions of the 'Tea Party' wing of the Republican Party towards President Obama in the US. Any policy proposed by the minister must be opposed; even if it is a good idea.
The need to standardise thetextbooks used in schools is a long-standing issue. Many parents already have to find absurd amounts of money to give to their children for taxi fares because of a ridiculous placement system. To burden them with more expense for books that are hardly ever used is counterproductive.
The need to standardise thetextbooks used in schools is a long-standing issue. Many parents already have to find absurd amounts of money to give to their children for taxi fares because of a ridiculous placement system. To burden them with more expense for books that are hardly ever used is counterproductive.
In an environment in which access to school was easy, the JTA's position would have some validity. It would be good if teachers were free to determine what material their students need and require that parents provide it. But this will prove to be unrealistic for some time to come.
I hope that standardisation of books is only the first step towards developing common programmes, requiring common material, that will allow schools to share resources. Schools in Mandeville, for instance should be able to have collaborative departmental meetings at the end of the summer holidays, where they share resources and develop common question banks for assessment.
I envision a system in which students would spend one or two sessions watching a video on linear equations after which they would be given worksheets. Teachers would then act as supervisors to monitor groups, each of which would be led by a more capable student, helping them where they have a problem. Whatever additional material students need can be obtained via the Internet and photocopied for the students. There is a great deal of such material on the Internet that can be legitimately downloaded and photocopied. At any rate, a teacher could still use it to develop a lesson plans or make required notes to give to students.
Even if it is shown that this is not so good an idea, it is the sort of thing the JTA leadership should spend their time thinking about so that they can come up with suggestions to move the system forward. The danger of their present attitude is that the public will begin to treat them in the same way that they treat the minister and not take them seriously when they are on solid ground making objections that need to be made.
R Howard Thompson
Mandeville
JTA objection counterproductive
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