The Intersection of Gender, Culture and Education: Jamaica: The Next 50 Years!

“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.”- Albert Einstein For many years educators along with other stakeholders in the education system have debated the disconnect which exists between the skills set of our education system and the practical needs of the wider society.   Many in the society, especially parents are dissatisfied with student outcomes at both the primary and secondary levels. However, the major concern seems to have focused specifically around the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) which is the current exit examination done at the primary level.   Since its implementation in 1999 the GSAT has been used to place students in high schools. It can be argued that the education system for the most part has been unresponsive to the fast changing technological world in which we live. However, in 2016 there was a revision of the curriculum at both the primary and secondary levels. The National Sta...

“Music is the movement of sound to reach the soul for the education of its virtue.”- Plato A few weeks ago I went to my barber as per usual for my weekly grooming.   While I was being attended to my barber, whom I have known for over 15 years, he engaged me in a discussion on music. For those of you who are not aware, the barbershop is a safe space for many men. Many males are viewed as experts in the barbershop on various fields from sex, to motor vehicles, and of course sports.     The testosterone filled space of the barbershop competes freely with the cut hair of various textures and colours which oftentimes litters the floor.     The topic of choice between my barber and I was rooted in the literary arts of music. Music is an area of our cultural upbringing which we cannot escape. Music defines us at every phase in our lives. The sound of music speaks to our sexual identity as we use our bodies to translate meanings and messages whether unintentionall...

The notion that an extension of the academic year will improve student outcomes has always found favour with successive governments. This extension premise of the school year is groundless both in research and in common sense and some might argue is only discussed to appease parents many of whom already believe teachers benefit from too much holidays.   The supporters of this extension of the school year are misguided and are unacquainted with current research.   However, there is now empirical evidence which clearly debunk the reasoning for an extension of the academic year. Notwithstanding the emerging research one’s common sense should dictate that in an era of climate change and global warming when temperatures continue to increase undoubtedly this will negatively impact both students learning outcome as well as how teachers are able to impart knowledge.    According to research from Harvard University, in years with hotter weather students are more likely to p...