Gareth Davis, Gleaner WriterPORTLAND: PROMINENT HIGH school in Portland, Titchfield, is struggling to cope with its transition, with its former high level of atttainment slowly declining.
In previous years Titchfield High has boasted significant passes in science subjects. But it was a frustrated and disheartened acting principal, Mrs. Ivy McKenzie, who, while addressing parents and students at the handing out of report cards for the end of term exam at the school, indicated that many in the student population were idle, complacent and had no regard for education.
"Yes we still have some advanced students at Titchfield", she said. "But many have adopted a get-rich-quick mentality, emulating the so-called dons. Some have stated that if the dons are able to succeed without education, so can they."
DIFFICULTIES
Mrs. McKenzie noted that such principles will not be tolerated at the school as Titchfield is renowned for producing first class students.
She noted that the school was suffering due to some difficulties which could be affecting student performance.
"We have in many instances some 48 students in a classroom and this is not conducive to learning," Mrs. McKenzie said. "Currently, we are experiencing a shortage of close to nine and a half classrooms."
The school has exhausted all its building space and as a result is being handicapped due to a shortage of classrooms to adequately seat students in a more favourable manner. At present, it has a student population of approximately 1,800.
Mrs. McKenzie indicated that sessions are currently being held with guidance counsellors, child care officers, and teachers, who are also asked to conduct extra classes to enhance the educational development of the students.
"We have also got parents to be more involved and aware of what is happening at the school," she said. "Students need to understand that it is expected of them to spend five years at high school preparing themselves to be marketable educationally."
