THE EDITOR Sir,
IN THE nightly news of August 30, 2004 on one of our television stations an item was aired in which James Robertson, while speaking at a Jamaica Labour Party meeting, accused the Minister of Education, Maxine Henry-Wilson, of wasting money on an advertising campaign (that tells the listener that children can learn) when this money could be put to better use for painting schools.
I have only glimpsed this advertisement on one occasion and it seems to be targeting parents and guardians. Personally, I find his comments disturbing and unfortunate. This is because of an experience I had a few years ago, which presented the possibility of making a difference in one young person's life; but unfortunately I could not do all that was needed to help. It was almost four years ago (after my child started attending high school) when a boy who lived in the area and attended the same primary school as my daughter, came to me seeking help with his schoolwork. I later learnt that his mother gave birth to him when she was only 16 years old and either could not or would not help him with his schoolwork.
WORTHLESS
He was, howeve,r accepted at one of the 'new' high schools (former secondary schools). But his mother proceeded to label him as 'worthless, a dunce and a total waste of money and time'. She stopped supporting him and told him that he should look work. He asked for and got help from me and a few other neighbours in attending first year but unfortunately he eventually dropped out in the second year partly because we could not provide all the support he needed but more importantly because of his mother's constant needling for him to 'cum out and fin' wok'.
Eventually he got involved in crime and when we tried to talk to him about it his response was, 'big man me no care because right now me life nuh worth nutten, yuh see me'. He is now on the run both from the police and rival gang members in connection with several shootings in and around the area.
LEARNING PROCESS
The point is that the ad seems to target the first line of learning for children, their parents and guardians. If the parents do not facilitate the learning process then no matter how beautiful and advanced the school is the child will not learn if they are made to feel that it is a waste of time by their parents.
The only problem I have with the ad is that it may not be reaching its intended audience as most so-called 'inner city' mothers rarely listen to the radio and will spend most of their time watching cable stations. The Minister would have better luck involving the dance hall DJs in trying to get her message across. The only problem is that there will be another outcry that funds are being wasted!
I am, etc.,
CONCERNED CITIZEN
Kingston 13
