Dear Editor,
Do we tell our children to aim for the highest while abstrusely meaning the highest that can be achieved within the confines of their living perimeters? If not, then do not expect us to tell our Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) students to work meticulously and earn high scores to be circumscribed within a specific zone -- at least not yet.
The idea of zoning is not as disastrous as one would believe; but it is undoubtedly premature. There are children whose intellect surpasses their age and whose skill level is exceptional. As such, they necessitate and deserve schools with maximum resources and rigidified teaching strategies to help them further tap into the reservoir of world-changing knowledge.
The idea of zoning is not as disastrous as one would believe; but it is undoubtedly premature. There are children whose intellect surpasses their age and whose skill level is exceptional. As such, they necessitate and deserve schools with maximum resources and rigidified teaching strategies to help them further tap into the reservoir of world-changing knowledge.
Unfortunately, not all schools have access to even rudimentary teaching schemes, much less being equipped to deal with students of accelerated learning styles. The aim of the Ministry of Education is to then see to the distribution of resources and teaching techniques to raise the standards of all schools. When schools are better the students will be better.
And, no, Mr Minister, we are not requesting manicured lawns and air-conditioned classrooms to be implemented before zoning is acceptable. However, suitable desks and chairs and learning materials can surely do no harm. Stagnated teaching styles should also be addressed. There should at least be subject development workshops for our teachers to guarantee the enhancement of their teaching technique, which, might I add, participation of all teachers should be mandatory.
With that said, work vigorously to make these ideas and plans a reality, and include the public as you adapt new ideas. Let us take this one step at a time, tackling problems methodically, to see to a better Jamaica.
Tashani Durrant
Zoning not bad; but we're nowhere near ready
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Do we tell our children to aim for the highest while abstrusely meaning the highest that can be achieved within the confines of their living perimeters? If not, then do not expect us to tell our Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) students to work meticulously and earn high scores to be circumscribed within a specific zone -- at least not yet.
The idea of zoning is not as disastrous as one would believe; but it is undoubtedly premature. There are children whose intellect surpasses their age and whose skill level is exceptional. As such, they necessitate and deserve schools with maximum resources and rigidified teaching strategies to help them further tap into the reservoir of world-changing knowledge.
The idea of zoning is not as disastrous as one would believe; but it is undoubtedly premature. There are children whose intellect surpasses their age and whose skill level is exceptional. As such, they necessitate and deserve schools with maximum resources and rigidified teaching strategies to help them further tap into the reservoir of world-changing knowledge.
Unfortunately, not all schools have access to even rudimentary teaching schemes, much less being equipped to deal with students of accelerated learning styles. The aim of the Ministry of Education is to then see to the distribution of resources and teaching techniques to raise the standards of all schools. When schools are better the students will be better.
And, no, Mr Minister, we are not requesting manicured lawns and air-conditioned classrooms to be implemented before zoning is acceptable. However, suitable desks and chairs and learning materials can surely do no harm. Stagnated teaching styles should also be addressed. There should at least be subject development workshops for our teachers to guarantee the enhancement of their teaching technique, which, might I add, participation of all teachers should be mandatory.
With that said, work vigorously to make these ideas and plans a reality, and include the public as you adapt new ideas. Let us take this one step at a time, tackling problems methodically, to see to a better Jamaica.
Tashani Durrant
Zoning not bad; but we're nowhere near ready
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