Dear Editor,
In a time when our nation's teachers are asked to improve students' academic performance with frozen salaries, I would like to take a moment to view the challenges that are faced in the primary education system. Most primary schools receive "quarterly" grants, three times annually. In most cases, these grants are exhausted approximately five weeks before the end of an academic term.
Our administrators and teachers scramble to find creative and innovative ways of dealing with the shortfall before the next grant is issued. It is said that if principals write a request for a "top-up" when grants are depleted, this request may be honoured. Some of the ways members of staff have to create much-needed funds include: fairs, concerts, pageants, fun/days, rally of the grades, jeans day, movie day, culture day, among other things.
Of course, not all the listed activities can happen without the input of an active and proactive Parent-Teachers Association (PTA). Active groups such as these often have first-hand knowledge of the needs of their schools and as a result have taken a supportive stance.
They believe that their children must benefit from a sound education with a proper learning environment and realise that they must act instead of waiting on agencies to provide for everything.
However, there are persons who fail to see what purpose the listed fundraisers serve in the daily running of the school. Some of the funds raised are for the following: furniture repairs, beautification, payment of clerical and auxiliary staff, repairs/replacement of photocopy machines and ink, purchase of photocopy paper, books and stationery for needy students, first-aid kits, costumes for competitions, and unpaid utility bills.
For many, this information might come as a shock, but for the rest, this is the reality our teachers face on a daily basis. Without the innovative skills of those who care about the school's well-being, the school would fall into disrepair. Through the years our nation's teachers and supportive parents have made huge sacrifices.
It is time to reveal the truth about the real cost of education. Stop placing teachers in the middle of the firing range for the uninformed soldiers of public opinion who enjoy taking deadly aim at teachers as if they are sitting ducks for target practice when expected academic performance is not achieved.
One thing is certain: Despite the frozen salaries and grants, our dedicated educators and involved parents must remain afloat like icebergs, upright and strong, within the unpredictable sea called our education system.
Lyssette Hawthorne-Wilson
lysdave@yahoo.com
The truth and challenges within the primary education system
-->
In a time when our nation's teachers are asked to improve students' academic performance with frozen salaries, I would like to take a moment to view the challenges that are faced in the primary education system. Most primary schools receive "quarterly" grants, three times annually. In most cases, these grants are exhausted approximately five weeks before the end of an academic term.
Our administrators and teachers scramble to find creative and innovative ways of dealing with the shortfall before the next grant is issued. It is said that if principals write a request for a "top-up" when grants are depleted, this request may be honoured. Some of the ways members of staff have to create much-needed funds include: fairs, concerts, pageants, fun/days, rally of the grades, jeans day, movie day, culture day, among other things.
Of course, not all the listed activities can happen without the input of an active and proactive Parent-Teachers Association (PTA). Active groups such as these often have first-hand knowledge of the needs of their schools and as a result have taken a supportive stance.
They believe that their children must benefit from a sound education with a proper learning environment and realise that they must act instead of waiting on agencies to provide for everything.
However, there are persons who fail to see what purpose the listed fundraisers serve in the daily running of the school. Some of the funds raised are for the following: furniture repairs, beautification, payment of clerical and auxiliary staff, repairs/replacement of photocopy machines and ink, purchase of photocopy paper, books and stationery for needy students, first-aid kits, costumes for competitions, and unpaid utility bills.
For many, this information might come as a shock, but for the rest, this is the reality our teachers face on a daily basis. Without the innovative skills of those who care about the school's well-being, the school would fall into disrepair. Through the years our nation's teachers and supportive parents have made huge sacrifices.
It is time to reveal the truth about the real cost of education. Stop placing teachers in the middle of the firing range for the uninformed soldiers of public opinion who enjoy taking deadly aim at teachers as if they are sitting ducks for target practice when expected academic performance is not achieved.
One thing is certain: Despite the frozen salaries and grants, our dedicated educators and involved parents must remain afloat like icebergs, upright and strong, within the unpredictable sea called our education system.
Lyssette Hawthorne-Wilson
lysdave@yahoo.com
The truth and challenges within the primary education system
-->