SENATOR ANTHONY Johnson of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) wants a parliamentary committee set up to examine the results posted in the recently released Minott report on the performance of secondary schools.
Johnson, who is Leader of Government Business in the Senate, told the upper house on Friday that the report ought not become another nine-day wonder.
"One of the reasons why things are (nine-day) wonders is because we do not have a constant review system that is a part of the Parliament," Senator Johnson said during his contribution to the State-of-the-Nation debate.
"It is for us to be constantly reviewing matters, taking them on-board and ensuring that they are not forgotten," he said.
The Minott report, done by Dr. Dennis Minott of A-QuEST, presented a disturbing picture of secondary-level education in Jamaica, with the majority of schools receiving failing grades based on performance in the 2003 CXC examinations.
PERFORMANCE UNACCEPTABLE
"It is quite clear that the performance in the examinations is unacceptable and is leaving a number of schools and students frustrated," Senator Johnson said.
Among the schools receiving low or failing grades in the report were prominent high schools such as Jamaica College, Calabar and St. George's College.
Senator Johnson said: "There should be a joint select committee on education (to look at) the Minott report and to find out what are the implications of it."
He added: "That is what happens in parliaments abroad. The minute something like that comes to notice and there is a public outcry, the Parliament meets and discusses it."
Senator Johnson suggested that the parliamentary committee, when organised, seek answers from Dr. Minott, the chief education officer, the Permanent Secretary in the Education Ministry, education officers and principals. "Let them come and say what is wrong," he stressed.
