William Doyle-Marshall, Contributor
SAMMS-VAUGHAN
DR. MAVIS Burke, founder of Women for PACE Canada, has some very serious concerns about the effects of new government legislation regarding the operation of basic schools in Jamaica.
While speaking to a delegation of Jamaican educators, recently, she congratulated the framers of the Early Childhood Act which is designed to set new standards for the operation of basic schools.
But, the early childhood education advocate noted that some of the schools sponsored by Women for PACE Canada, which cannot possibly meet the standards set out in the new law, have no access to running water, electricity, and playground space. Dr. Burke disclosed that they would certainly be unable to meet the 1.9 metres per child space allocation, required by the act, without major restructuring or rebuilding.
"To complicate this issue, property ownership is crucial," she said. During field visits to these Jamaican schools, PACE members learnt about the Jamaican tradition of individual community members and local churches donating premises for operation of basic schools.
RESTRUCTURING PROGRAMME
"This remains a reality and community dynamics have to be factored into any restructuring programme intended to make a better start for young people," Dr. Burke said.
The newly established Early Childhood Commission is responsible for identifying for basic school operators, their operational shortcomings, Dr. Maureen Samms-Vaughan, executive chairperson, told The Gleaner.
Some people don't understand what's necessary for children's adequate learning, she said. As a result, the act, the regulations and the standards introduced by the Government of Jamaica are going to help them to identify those. The scholar contended that children who are in the poorest circumstances are the ones whose environments must be improved. "We really have to find creative ways to improve those environments if we are going to make life better for those children," she stressed.
CONCERNS
Dr. Burke, meanwhile, was concerned with communications be-tween Jamaica and her Toronto-based voluntary organisation. "If we get the news that five or 10 of our adopted schools cannot meet the standards, what's our next move? First of all, how are we going to hear and what do we do about it?" she pondered.
The retired educator noted that her organisation has schools that are overcrowded and in difficult situations, but are making the best of what they have. She acknow-ledged that the Early Childhood Commission is going to do an inventory and collect information. "This is very important," she assured the meeting.
The commission's administrator said following the body's investigations, those basic schools that meet the requirements will be registered. Those that do not, but are not a real immediate danger to children, will be permitted to operate with stipulations. In addition, they would have a specified time in which to comply and meet the requirements of the law. Failure to comply, however, could result in closure by the Ministry of Education.
"I am sure nobody wants our children to be in institutions that are going to be a danger to them. They must be institutions that are safe," Dr. Samms-Vaughan emphasised.
