THE EDITOR, Sir:
DR. MINOTT'S analysis of fifth form students in 16 core subjects and subsequent ranking of the island's secondary schools have generated much debate. The results, to a large extent, are a direct result of the Ministry of Education's enlist system which has characterised our educational system for many years.
The problem began with the now abolished Common En-trance Examinations which has been replaced with the GSAT examinations. Each year the Ministry of Education places the top achievers of the GSAT exams at those schools which are viewed by the public at large as the top high schools. Not surprisingly those are the schools which have scored well and have made the top 10 list. These top achievers from the GSAT examinations already have had a head start in achieving greatness in their CXC exams. Often times they attended prep schools where the pupil teacher ratio is often lower than what exists in primary schools. Individual attention most times is given to those students at the prep schools; this is not the situation in primary schools where is ratio is often one teacher to 48 students or more.
These top GSAT students tend to be children of upper class professionals who are able to provide financial and parental support. These critical factors are most times absent from the lives of those students who score low in the GSAT exams.
Location is another of the factors which Dr. Minott did not take into account. Most of those high schools at the top of the rankings are located in violence-free areas, unlike those at the bottom of the ranking which are most times in garrison areas which have had numerous interruptions from outbreaks of violence. This must have some impact on the teaching and learning process.
Nutrition to me seems to be another important factor. A student who does not have breakfast, for example, is less likely to be attentive in his or her classes.
Dr. Minott's ranking is so unfortunate. It will do nothing to improve the educational system. In fact a lot of damage has been done to administrators, teachers and students of those schools which have been unfairly ranked. One good thing is that the report serves to highlight the two Jamaicas which we have created, nurtured and for many of us will have to live in.
I am, etc.,
WAYNE CAMPBELL
wayne_c@anbell.net
