The Editor, Sir:

To charge that the principal of Claude McKay High School is unashamed of mediocrity is a bit of an unfair characterisation of her response to a previous editorial.

Beyond this criticism though, your editorial was worth the reading. Principal Wilson seemingly lacks the leadership temperament that would have allowed her to provide a more measured response.The fact that the Ministry of Education continues to populate these schools with mostly unprepared and underprepared students is nothing new.

Unreasonable measure

It could very well be that the CXC is an unreasonable measure to determine student progress and instructional effectiveness relative to the students' academic profile upon matriculation.

School leadership at the site and central administration levels has been and still remains a fundamental shortcoming of our education system. We need to revisit the criteria used to select school leaders as too many current principals lack the ability to lead.

Raise the bar

Most of these individuals have worked tirelessly and were once themselves outstanding teachers, and for that, we must be thankful. But the time has come for us to raise the bar of expectation for those who lead.

On the subject of performance-based pay, I challenge its proponents to be very clear as to its intricacies. The sharp and varied gaps in student performance and achievement levels upon entering the system must be used to establish performance targets.

One size does not and will not fit all and, therefore, performance-based pay measurement instruments should be used to level the playing field. Accountability is a must but let's be reasonable and balanced in determining how. Peace and love.

I am, etc.,

Dr RICHARD

KITSON-WALTERS

k-w@comcast.net

Jacksonville, Florida

Via Go-Jamaica