THE EDITOR, Sir:
EVERY YEAR, there is a debate concerning the poor performance of Jamaican students in the CXC examinations. The arguments are always centred on the students ability or inability to handle mathematics. If one is to agree with this argument then one would expect the performance to fluctuate annually as every year a new batch of students come forward to sit the CXC exams. Instead what you see from year to year is a constant low pass rate.
I am therefore led to conclude that the problem lies elsewhere. The only constant factor that does not change from year to year is the teachers and their teaching style. This leads me to the subject of teaching style in general. I attended Titchfield High School where for over 35 years the most popular subject was Chemistry. This was so because during that time chemistry was taught by Jim Fulstan. You may wonder what was so special about Mr. Fulstan, well, he taught the entire fourth form, fifth form and sixth form chemistry. Mr. Fulstan's students never used a single text or workbook neither for O'level or A'level and yet Titchfield was one of the top schools in Jamaica in Chemistry both at O and A'level.
It goes even further, you never ever had to write a single line of notes in his class. His routine was as follows: all notes were pre-printed for all classes and distributed prior to the start of the class; classes were straight lectures, one assignment per week was given which had to be submitted for marking, tutorial comments were added to all scripts. Some students would be required to meet with "Fully" (Mr. Fulstan) to discuss their script if necessary. One practical was done weekly for which results had to be prepared as home assignment and submitted. Any areas in assignment that proved problematic to the class in general would be reviewed in class. The only tests done were monthly tests, screen test and mock exam.
The results of this method of teaching bear testament to its effectiveness. Not only did Titchfield have a very high pass rate for chemistry but the quality of the passes were also exceptional.
The standard method of teaching in Jamaica is to either use a lot of texts and workbooks and/or have students writing notes in class until their fingers got sore. Very little learning therefore actually takes place in the class.
My conclusion is that the problem with mathematics (and other subjects where our students are performing below par) is the teacher and their teaching methods. We use too many books, waste too much time writing notes and too much time administering tests that prove nothing.
I was disappointed when I went to Portland earlier this year and learned that "Fully" had been asked to retire because of his age by the Ministry of Education. He has offered so much to Jamaica and I think he still had so much more to offer. A person with his skill maybe could have been utilised at the university to teach the art of effective teaching to young aspiring teachers. This I think is what will make a difference in our students being able to manage mathematics at the CXC level.
I am etc.,
JEROME HENRY
Jerome@jnbs.com
1 Stennett Street,
Port Maria P.O.
Annotto Bay
