THE EDITOR, Sir:
PRIMARY SCHOOL education across the island is in a crisis. Take a look at the Junior Schools' Challenge Quiz on TVJ, Monday to Thursday evenings at 6:30. It is very disheartening to hear the responses given to very simple questions by students at the primary level, both from government primary schools as well as preparatory schools.
These students fail to correct basic grammatical errors in sentences, and are unable to spell simple words. Sadly, when asked to identify artistes for hip-hop, or dancehall selections they usually bellow the right answer within a fraction of a second of the clip being played.
LACK OF KNOWLEDGE HARD TO IGNORE
Nothing is wrong with being very familiar with these musical selections but it's hard to ignore the lack of knowledge displayed as it relates to matters that should have been taught to them at school. The students selected, I imagine, represent the 'cream of the crop'. The principals of some of these schools should be embarrassed and be held accountable for the poor performance displayed by their students on national television. Teachers at the primary level are expected to lay the foundation for the dreams and aspirations of their students and I must point out that ironically, these students, (as poorly as they perform in the quiz matches), in their introduction all want to be scientists, astronauts and doctors, to list a few.
Sadly though, at this rate, if no one comes to their immediate rescue, for many of them it will only be a dream. This makes it even more compelling for teachers at the primary level to do their jobs without compromise.
The poor performance of these students is not because they are nervous being on television, nor is it an inability to recall what they were taught, as the blankness displayed on their faces as well as the stupid answers provided, indicate that they were not taught at all.
I must also mention, that many of the questions asked on the programme are poorly worded so you cannot always expect correct answers. Many times too, incorrect answers are given by the quizmaster, who I am sure is only going by the answers provided on the script. My guess is that the questions are prepared by teachers at the primary level, so one cannot expect a better performance from the students.
It is no joke why the University of the West Indies implemented an entrance English test, as foundation grammar is not taught at the primary level anymore. It is times like these that I have to be thankful for Miss Ham of Leeds All Age School in St Elizabeth, may God rest her soul. It seems like teachers of that calibre are now at famine prices.
Please note that in my view, there are still many good teachers out there as well as brilliant students but those are in the pitiful minority. Let the debate begin!
I am, etc.,
GARFIELD WHITE
gaawhyte@yahoo.com
