School Twinning And Accessing Equitable Quality Education
“Every child deserves a
champion: an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of
connection and insists they become the best they can possibly be.”- Rita Pierson
Jamaica has always had a problem providing equitable quality education for all students. The education system over the years has evolved into an elitist structure. As a result children of the money class and those of influence and connection attend the best schools in the country while the children of the ordinary folks attend schools which everyone knows are under-performing. Unfortunately, that is how the system works. Jamaica’s education system operates on a two-tier scheme, there are “schools of choice” and then there are the “others”. Each year students along with their parents select those schools at both the primary and secondary levels which they believe will guarantee them a superior level of education. No one can blame any parent for wanting the best for his or her child. Its rather interesting that the movers and shakers in the society who publicly speak about all schools are equal send their children only to those coveted schools of choice, perhaps this is hypocrisy, the judgment is yours to deliver. It bares thought that the lack of school leadership is primarily at the genesis of the crisis we face regarding equitable quality education. In a utopian state all schools would be first class and the necessary resources would be available for all students to excel. However, the barrier to achieving this is the state of leadership in our schools. Some principals have lost the respect of their staff as well as other stakeholders. They have become the butt of jokes in both the private and public spheres, yet they have been allowed to carry on without much if any intervention. When one examines the National Education Inspectorate reports regarding under-performing schools immediately the picture is as clear as crystal. The problem stems with the unsatisfactory leadership being provided at these institutions. It is not rocket science that if the principal alienates and divides the staff then the students and indeed the school community will inevitably suffer. We are now reaping the fruits of this and distressingly it will be like this for generations to come if steps are not taken immediately to turn around these numerous schools which are operating at unsatisfactory levels.
Twinning of Schools
The Minister with responsibility for Education, Karl Samuda has proposed an intervention programme which should improve the general performance of students to support a more inclusive educational system. The programme in question is the twinning of schools at the secondary level. There are many schools of thought surrounding this idea. In fact Minister Samuda announced that the much sought after Ardenne High School will be twinned with Haile Selassie High School often viewed as a school of last resort. It is safe to say that the students who attend Ardenne High School are mainly from upper middle class backgrounds while the students who attend Haile Selassie High School are primarily from the lower-socio economic backgrounds. In using the same Ardenne and Haile Selassie model, will there be an exchange of the academic staff at both institutions? Is there likely to be an exchange of pupils at both schools? The public has labeled all schools either as “good” or as “bad”. The students who attend these “bad” schools have it twice as difficult. First they must surmount the stigma attached in attending these schools and secondly they must try as best as possible to overcome all the odds including poor principalship and lack of resources in order to obtain a good education. Donkey says the world nuh level! We need to ask ourselves what impact will the twinning of high schools have on students who attend the sought after schools. For example, the public will now make an association whether for good or bad with Ardenne High School and Haile Selassie. I suspect only time will tell and after an assessment of the project is done.
The fact is there are many more under-performing schools than there are schools which are operating satisfactorily. Those of us in the education system know very well that the principal is the one who sets the tone in a school. Disturbingly, too many of our schools operate in a toxic school environment. Such a poisonous school culture is one in which the principalship is spiteful, weak and as such implement policies to get back at teachers. How silly can you get? Too many principals hide behind their positions and letters behind their names and add very little value to their institutions. Too many staff members are waiting to celebrate the retirement of their principals. The fact is too many principals of public schools behave as if their school is an independent one. Even independent schools are accountable under the Education Act as stipulated by The Independent Schools Regulation, 1973. Too many principals turn a blind eye to the chaos and mayhem which they have allowed, encouraged and facilitated and which sadly has become a trademark of too many of our schools. A principal’s role is all encompassing in providing authentic leadership and inspiring confidence. Let us not fool ourselves we all know who the good principals are. Those principals are the ones who work assiduously to improve students’ outcome by providing an inclusive enrichment programme. Poor principalship is never reprimanded! Regrettably, in too many instances it is rewarded. So why should principals ever bother to try? Nothing ever happens; it’s all business as usual after the talk shop.
The Way Forward
What will happen when all the top-ranked schools have been twinned off? Where will the Education Ministry find good schools to twin with the numerous under-performing educational institutions? The Twinning Policy Programme at face value sounds like a useful strategy. In 2015, the United Nations (UN) adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) which provides a framework to eradicate poverty, hunger, violence, fear and disease as well as to promote literacy, equality, human rights, sanitation and hygiene, education, physical, mental and social well-being. Goal #4 Quality Education addresses inclusive and equitable quality education and promotes lifelong learning opportunities for all. It is against this background that the Jamaican State must measure herself and put in places strategies to fill the gaps. The time for pussyfooting is long gone. We should give the prgramme some time to work while at the same time encouraging robust conversations on the issue. There needs to be much more detail about the scope and operation of this school twinning initiative. Is there any plans to ask the Private Sector of Jamaica to partner with the government in adopting under-performing schools? What about the Jamaican Diaspora? Undoubtedly, the Jamaican Diaspora would be glad to partner with the Jamaican government in this policy. The public needs to be engaged and suggestions of divergent views must be allowed. If our education system fails then the country will become a failed State. The levels of hopelessness and crime will increase. The level of poverty will also rise as unemployment will increase. We have had many policies on education over the years, some have borne fruit, and others have not. Jamaica is at a crossroad regarding her development and we can only move forward if all our students have an equal access to education. As a society we need to redouble our efforts in ensuring that all our schools become schools of choice. Our children deserve the best.
In the words of William Arthur Wood, leadership is based on inspiration, not domination; on cooperation, not intimidation.
Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues.
waykam@yahoo.com
@WayneCamo
Jamaica has always had a problem providing equitable quality education for all students. The education system over the years has evolved into an elitist structure. As a result children of the money class and those of influence and connection attend the best schools in the country while the children of the ordinary folks attend schools which everyone knows are under-performing. Unfortunately, that is how the system works. Jamaica’s education system operates on a two-tier scheme, there are “schools of choice” and then there are the “others”. Each year students along with their parents select those schools at both the primary and secondary levels which they believe will guarantee them a superior level of education. No one can blame any parent for wanting the best for his or her child. Its rather interesting that the movers and shakers in the society who publicly speak about all schools are equal send their children only to those coveted schools of choice, perhaps this is hypocrisy, the judgment is yours to deliver. It bares thought that the lack of school leadership is primarily at the genesis of the crisis we face regarding equitable quality education. In a utopian state all schools would be first class and the necessary resources would be available for all students to excel. However, the barrier to achieving this is the state of leadership in our schools. Some principals have lost the respect of their staff as well as other stakeholders. They have become the butt of jokes in both the private and public spheres, yet they have been allowed to carry on without much if any intervention. When one examines the National Education Inspectorate reports regarding under-performing schools immediately the picture is as clear as crystal. The problem stems with the unsatisfactory leadership being provided at these institutions. It is not rocket science that if the principal alienates and divides the staff then the students and indeed the school community will inevitably suffer. We are now reaping the fruits of this and distressingly it will be like this for generations to come if steps are not taken immediately to turn around these numerous schools which are operating at unsatisfactory levels.
Twinning of Schools
The Minister with responsibility for Education, Karl Samuda has proposed an intervention programme which should improve the general performance of students to support a more inclusive educational system. The programme in question is the twinning of schools at the secondary level. There are many schools of thought surrounding this idea. In fact Minister Samuda announced that the much sought after Ardenne High School will be twinned with Haile Selassie High School often viewed as a school of last resort. It is safe to say that the students who attend Ardenne High School are mainly from upper middle class backgrounds while the students who attend Haile Selassie High School are primarily from the lower-socio economic backgrounds. In using the same Ardenne and Haile Selassie model, will there be an exchange of the academic staff at both institutions? Is there likely to be an exchange of pupils at both schools? The public has labeled all schools either as “good” or as “bad”. The students who attend these “bad” schools have it twice as difficult. First they must surmount the stigma attached in attending these schools and secondly they must try as best as possible to overcome all the odds including poor principalship and lack of resources in order to obtain a good education. Donkey says the world nuh level! We need to ask ourselves what impact will the twinning of high schools have on students who attend the sought after schools. For example, the public will now make an association whether for good or bad with Ardenne High School and Haile Selassie. I suspect only time will tell and after an assessment of the project is done.
The fact is there are many more under-performing schools than there are schools which are operating satisfactorily. Those of us in the education system know very well that the principal is the one who sets the tone in a school. Disturbingly, too many of our schools operate in a toxic school environment. Such a poisonous school culture is one in which the principalship is spiteful, weak and as such implement policies to get back at teachers. How silly can you get? Too many principals hide behind their positions and letters behind their names and add very little value to their institutions. Too many staff members are waiting to celebrate the retirement of their principals. The fact is too many principals of public schools behave as if their school is an independent one. Even independent schools are accountable under the Education Act as stipulated by The Independent Schools Regulation, 1973. Too many principals turn a blind eye to the chaos and mayhem which they have allowed, encouraged and facilitated and which sadly has become a trademark of too many of our schools. A principal’s role is all encompassing in providing authentic leadership and inspiring confidence. Let us not fool ourselves we all know who the good principals are. Those principals are the ones who work assiduously to improve students’ outcome by providing an inclusive enrichment programme. Poor principalship is never reprimanded! Regrettably, in too many instances it is rewarded. So why should principals ever bother to try? Nothing ever happens; it’s all business as usual after the talk shop.
The Way Forward
What will happen when all the top-ranked schools have been twinned off? Where will the Education Ministry find good schools to twin with the numerous under-performing educational institutions? The Twinning Policy Programme at face value sounds like a useful strategy. In 2015, the United Nations (UN) adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) which provides a framework to eradicate poverty, hunger, violence, fear and disease as well as to promote literacy, equality, human rights, sanitation and hygiene, education, physical, mental and social well-being. Goal #4 Quality Education addresses inclusive and equitable quality education and promotes lifelong learning opportunities for all. It is against this background that the Jamaican State must measure herself and put in places strategies to fill the gaps. The time for pussyfooting is long gone. We should give the prgramme some time to work while at the same time encouraging robust conversations on the issue. There needs to be much more detail about the scope and operation of this school twinning initiative. Is there any plans to ask the Private Sector of Jamaica to partner with the government in adopting under-performing schools? What about the Jamaican Diaspora? Undoubtedly, the Jamaican Diaspora would be glad to partner with the Jamaican government in this policy. The public needs to be engaged and suggestions of divergent views must be allowed. If our education system fails then the country will become a failed State. The levels of hopelessness and crime will increase. The level of poverty will also rise as unemployment will increase. We have had many policies on education over the years, some have borne fruit, and others have not. Jamaica is at a crossroad regarding her development and we can only move forward if all our students have an equal access to education. As a society we need to redouble our efforts in ensuring that all our schools become schools of choice. Our children deserve the best.
In the words of William Arthur Wood, leadership is based on inspiration, not domination; on cooperation, not intimidation.
Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues.
waykam@yahoo.com
@WayneCamo
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