Dear Editor,
Education Minister Senator Ruel Reid announced recently that beginning September 2016, all students must complete seven years of compulsory secondary education up to age 18. Not much was made of the announcement in terms of feedback, perhaps due to Easter and carnival, but I’d like to give my thoughts.
Firstly, I am always wary of the word ‘compulsory’ in any directive coming from Government, whether explicitly or implied. People should always have options and choices. We know not all students are gifted academically, and some may not want to remain in the high school system for longer than they have to. This does not mean they are doomed.
What has been proposed is that grades 12 and 13 will now include technical and apprenticeship programmes, besides traditional sixth. This is ideal under the current system where students will have more options, especially those who leave with no plans at all except to be idle. But students should not be forced either way.
There are also some students who can get into post-secondary institutions at home and abroad with good ‘CXC’ grades; but under the new proposal, they would be forced to wait — as I assume they would not graduate with a high school diploma until all seven years are completed.
We also know that not all students will be inclined to pursue a university or college degree after high school. My point is, those two extra years may not be necessary or ideal in all circumstances. A student can pursue career goals in different ways after completing five years in high school, some may also choose to migrate to pursue these options.
Having checked around the Caribbean, most countries seem to require compulsory secondary education for five years only, up to age 16 or thereabout, after which students may choose to continue with advanced studies in high school. Cuba offers other options after a five-year period of basic secondary schooling, and these include technical and trade studies.
The new proposal is expected to cost Government a lot more, considering all grade 11 students would now have to move into grade 12. The minister’s proposal would work for those who have no other options after grade 11, but those who have plans should not be penalised, which is why optional might be a better route. Parents would also have to endure extra costs keeping students in high school when they could’ve gone on to post-secondary education.
I, therefore, urge the Government to rethink the details of the new system. I think creating the sixth form apprenticeship and trade programmes is a great idea, but at least give students the option to choose whether they wish to stay in the high school system, or not.
P Chin
Chin_p@yahoo.com
Education Minister Senator Ruel Reid announced recently that beginning September 2016, all students must complete seven years of compulsory secondary education up to age 18. Not much was made of the announcement in terms of feedback, perhaps due to Easter and carnival, but I’d like to give my thoughts.
Firstly, I am always wary of the word ‘compulsory’ in any directive coming from Government, whether explicitly or implied. People should always have options and choices. We know not all students are gifted academically, and some may not want to remain in the high school system for longer than they have to. This does not mean they are doomed.
What has been proposed is that grades 12 and 13 will now include technical and apprenticeship programmes, besides traditional sixth. This is ideal under the current system where students will have more options, especially those who leave with no plans at all except to be idle. But students should not be forced either way.
There are also some students who can get into post-secondary institutions at home and abroad with good ‘CXC’ grades; but under the new proposal, they would be forced to wait — as I assume they would not graduate with a high school diploma until all seven years are completed.
We also know that not all students will be inclined to pursue a university or college degree after high school. My point is, those two extra years may not be necessary or ideal in all circumstances. A student can pursue career goals in different ways after completing five years in high school, some may also choose to migrate to pursue these options.
Having checked around the Caribbean, most countries seem to require compulsory secondary education for five years only, up to age 16 or thereabout, after which students may choose to continue with advanced studies in high school. Cuba offers other options after a five-year period of basic secondary schooling, and these include technical and trade studies.
The new proposal is expected to cost Government a lot more, considering all grade 11 students would now have to move into grade 12. The minister’s proposal would work for those who have no other options after grade 11, but those who have plans should not be penalised, which is why optional might be a better route. Parents would also have to endure extra costs keeping students in high school when they could’ve gone on to post-secondary education.
I, therefore, urge the Government to rethink the details of the new system. I think creating the sixth form apprenticeship and trade programmes is a great idea, but at least give students the option to choose whether they wish to stay in the high school system, or not.
P Chin
Chin_p@yahoo.com