Correct exam-fee policy
Published:Saturday | August 28, 2010 | 12:00 AM
The Editor, Sir:
Andrew Holness in his capacity as the minister of education announced at Wednesday's post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House that "the Government would no longer subsidise students sitting mathematics, English language, information technology and a science subject in Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) and Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence on a broad scale".
As difficult as it may sound, one has to agree with the minister.
On the other hand, the president of the National Parent-Teacher Ass-ociation, Mrs Marcia McCausland-Wilson, strongly disagrees with this move. The economic realities are telling, to say the least, but can we afford to waste much-needed resources when other areas in the education sector could do well with these funds?
In the United States and most European countries, students' incentives are inextricably linked to their performance and maintaining averages of 70 per cent and above. This is exactly what the minister is trying to implement and cut the waste that exists in an resource-draining system that was implemented in 2002. The taxpayers of this country can no longer afford to pay for students who do NOT turn up for their exams. That is irresponsibility at best at such a tender age.
Use mock exams
I am recommending that mock exams that are administered prior to the selection for CSEC and CAPE exams be used to select those students who are ready to write their papers in these exams.
The results of CSEC and CAPE examinations for this year have improved and we would like to see this trend continuing over the coming years, but if Jamaica wants to make a major improvement in CSEC results, the Government would have to make attendance compulsory and put into place measures to hold parents to account.
In addition to the poor performance of students, there are the critical shortage of specialist teachers, especially in mathematics, and the current impasse with remuneration. The Government can alleviate these problems by dialogue, seeking external help, provide incentives to teachers, and manage our resources more carefully. We have to start living within our means.
I am, etc.,
RODWIN GREEN