Education in Jamaica

[Wahalla]

Here the JTA are trying to hide behind details.. missing the central issue our kids are not being educated..

There is a limit of resources however the figures that the NGO came out with is stark.. I cannot see how any teacher can condone this condition...of perpetual failure...

I know blu goes on about mis education... here I put this squarely at the teachers incompetence,.... year after year.. yet what e have here is teacher organisation a union rationalizing failure....No mention on how we improve the level of acheivement... notethe dodge of special education.. are tehy saying 72 % of Jamaicans have special eduication needs ?

This ties back into the discussion of Javon...they bask in the kids glory but not in their failure to educate him....

Tuffy may be joking but it seems we think that the Bolts and Vibz Kartel will save us.. but who will train bolt check his urine develop his nutritional needs, manage his money, calculate his tax... Teachers are developing the people to support the future bolt and the future vibz....

[blugiant]

Here the JTA are trying to hide behind details.. missing the central issue our kids are not being educated..

There is a limit of resources however the figures that the NGO came out with is stark.. I cannot see how any teacher can condone this condition...of perpetual failure...

I know blu goes on about mis education... here I put this squarely at the teachers incompetence,.... year after year.. yet what e have here is teacher organisation a union rationalizing failure....No mention on how we improve the level of acheivement... notethe dodge of special education.. are tehy saying 72 % of Jamaicans have special eduication needs ?

This ties back into the discussion of Javon...they bask in the kids glory but not in their failure to educate him....

Tuffy may be joking but it seems we think that the Bolts and Vibz Kartel will save us.. but who will train bolt check his urine develop his nutritional needs, manage his money, calculate his tax... Teachers are developing the people to support the future bolt and the future vibz....

yu missinn da pint. iff yuh change da head aff da jta ann awl da miseducators, da results will stay da same cah da miseducation system will stay da same. teachers ar limited bye da bureaucracy. plus to much educated jamaicans will tart fe ask bettar qwestians ann stapp allowinn politrixxstahs fe play game widd dem yuth education

look pon itt diss way inn merikka da low test score is primarilee inn blakk schools. iff blakk peeps had sense dem wood start askinn y oyinbo yuths inn moaslee oyinbo public school scorinn iigh butt blakk yuth scorinn low. inn merikka dem raise miseducators tandards ann certification dat led to more oyinbo miseducatinn blakk yuths butt blakk yuths test score still low even dough dem dumb dunn da exams.

mii told wan yaawdee dat imm yuth need special ed ann imm cuss oww imm son nuh dumb ann itt took two additional ears fore da yuth started fe gitt da help imm needed. nayy widdtandinn special ed is a racket wear blakks ann poor yuths ova represented

juss more pressure need fe be putt pon babylon system

[Tuff Gong]

Tuffy may be joking but it seems we think that the Bolts and Vibz Kartel will save us.. but who will train bolt check his urine develop his nutritional needs, manage his money, calculate his tax... Teachers are developing the people to support the future bolt and the future vibz....

Here is an answer at the Primary School Level which I have agreed with and have said many times.
I would also add the teaching of Logic.

Limit primary school curriculum to literacy and numeracy - mathematician

Published: Friday | August 23, 2013





Dr Samuel McDaniel speaks about ways to improve mathematics performace.-Jermaine Barnaby/Photographer






Jermaine Francis, Staff Reporter



ONE OF [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]Jamaica's[/COLOR][/COLOR] leading math educators is confident that the solution to improving the [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]country's[/COLOR][/COLOR] miserable performance in mathematics lies in the teaching of basic literacy and numeracy.
Coordinator for undergraduate studies in the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus' mathematics department, Dr Samuel McDaniel, said the problems plaguing math education will continue to affect the country unless the education system is overhauled.
He said Jamaica requires children to take on too many subjects in primary schools, and this prevents them from developing their analytical and problem-solving skills, which are critical to successfully grasping mathematics.
"The current issues we have with mathematics will not be solved until we go back to basics. At the primary-school level, we should only be teaching students how to write, how to read, and how to do mathematics," McDaniel said.


Focus on main areas


He is of the view that we should be spending our resources on these three main areas, as they are critical to students' success in all the other subject areas.
McDaniel argued that if students were to read and write more, they would have no choice but to [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue ! important]discover[/COLOR][/COLOR] the other subjects and would not have to be force-fed these at an early age.


"I always use an acronym W.A.R - writing, arithmetic and reading - because if we spend our resources on those areas, our students will have more time to practise mathematics, and more time to read," the lecturer noted.
He said this would ensure that the population is at least literate and numerate at the primary level.
"If our students can read and do mathematics at this particular level, once they reach secondary level, they are now critical thinkers with reading and comprehension skills, and the foundation for mathematics to go forward."
This is a theory that McDaniel said he has tested and proven to be a fact.
[email protected]

[Wahalla]

[Wahalla]

Here is an answer at the Primary School Level which I have agreed with and have said many times.
I would also add the teaching of Logic.

Limit primary school curriculum to literacy and numeracy - mathematician

Published: Friday | August 23, 2013





Dr Samuel McDaniel speaks about ways to improve mathematics performace.-Jermaine Barnaby/Photographer






Jermaine Francis, Staff Reporter



ONE OF [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]Jamaica's[/COLOR][/COLOR] leading math educators is confident that the solution to improving the [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]country's[/COLOR][/COLOR] miserable performance in mathematics lies in the teaching of basic literacy and numeracy.
Coordinator for undergraduate studies in the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus' mathematics department, Dr Samuel McDaniel, said the problems plaguing math education will continue to affect the country unless the education system is overhauled.
He said Jamaica requires children to take on too many subjects in primary schools, and this prevents them from developing their analytical and problem-solving skills, which are critical to successfully grasping mathematics.
"The current issues we have with mathematics will not be solved until we go back to basics. At the primary-school level, we should only be teaching students how to write, how to read, and how to do mathematics," McDaniel said.


Focus on main areas


He is of the view that we should be spending our resources on these three main areas, as they are critical to students' success in all the other subject areas.
McDaniel argued that if students were to read and write more, they would have no choice but to [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue ! important]discover[/COLOR][/COLOR] the other subjects and would not have to be force-fed these at an early age.


"I always use an acronym W.A.R - writing, arithmetic and reading - because if we spend our resources on those areas, our students will have more time to practise mathematics, and more time to read," the lecturer noted.
He said this would ensure that the population is at least literate and numerate at the primary level.
"If our students can read and do mathematics at this particular level, once they reach secondary level, they are now critical thinkers with reading and comprehension skills, and the foundation for mathematics to go forward."
This is a theory that McDaniel said he has tested and proven to be a fact.
[email protected]

in the UK they developed a broad curriculum that was diverse about a decade or so back... and they then pull back and concentrated on literacy and numeracy...they down sized parts of the curriculum so that there was an extra hour every day on both these fields..

I think that this guy may be right... Concentrate on getting the basics right by age 12 and then develop the other parts...

However they could teach indirectly by reading..

however given that the maths CXC is so poor I suspect the new teachers are not competent in maths

[queenb]

I'm not Jamaican or Canadian,(but have ties to both countries) and I'm fuzzy about the English educational model. I have, though taught since '75, and most of the students from countries using the British educational model were superior to Americans in the same age group. One year I had a student from Belize a typical 17 y-o who had been in the US for 3 yrs or so. I also had his sister, in another class, newly arrived from Belize, who was only 14!!! The older sibling had missed the crucial years at home and was placed in a grade in which his age was the indicator. The younger girl, had completed some secondary levels and was placed in a grade which reflected her courses already completed. (I teach Chemistry, which have per-requisites of general Science, Biology, and Algebra I) All of these subjects were successfully completed by age 14.

As to the cartoon, it is a truism. Using the British educational model, which should turn out exemplary students, is negatively impacted by the school fees, taxi fees, uniform fees, book purchasing, etc. The people that I know in Jamaica find it almost impossible to pay these fees, and many stopped attending school in order to help their families economically. If all the tourists that come to Jamaica every year were charged a fee of $15-$20 each/ticket, it would raise a hella lot of money to help the economy, and afford fee-free schools and maybe even school buses like they have here. According to the following article, there were 3.07 million tourists to Jamaica in 2011. http://www.travelpulse.com/jamaica-p...s-in-2011.html At today's exchange rate, that equals 311,443,994.36 JMD!!! source:XE currency converter: http://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/...rom=USD&To=JMD

[queenb]

in the UK they developed a broad curriculum that was diverse about a decade or so back... and they then pull back and concentrated on literacy and numeracy...they down sized parts of the curriculum so that there was an extra hour every day on both these fields..

I think that this guy may be right... Concentrate on getting the basics right by age 12 and then develop the other parts...

However they could teach indirectly by reading..

however given that the maths CXC is so poor I suspect the new teachers are not competent in maths

For years, I have thought that primary (earliest school years) need to re-vamp teacher requirements. Yes they need to understand the developing young brains, but they should have a competency in a specific academic area, not just Elementary Education, which to me was where people looking for an easy degree wound up. I am not slamming anyone here who might teach those subjects, but I can only refer to the students I observed in the American Universities that I have attended. People who love math, science, and language have an enthusiasm for those topics, and little kids respond positively to their teacher's enthusiasm and knowledge. Years ago I taught at a magnet school in Elizabeth, NJ and in 3 days/week for 1/2 the school year, I introduced my 6th graders to biology, chemistry, and physics. I kept going until they began to have problems, then I slowed down and gave remediation and individual help. The American school model of general ed degrees just doesn't work with over-indulged American kids.

[blugiant]

For years, I have thought that primary (earliest school years) need to re-vamp teacher requirements. Yes they need to understand the developing young brains, but they should have a competency in a specific academic area, not just Elementary Education, which to me was where people looking for an easy degree wound up. I am not slamming anyone here who might teach those subjects, but I can only refer to the students I observed in the American Universities that I have attended. People who love math, science, and language have an enthusiasm for those topics, and little kids respond positively to their teacher's enthusiasm and knowledge. Years ago I taught at a magnet school in Elizabeth, NJ and in 3 days/week for 1/2 the school year, I introduced my 6th graders to biology, chemistry, and physics. I kept going until they began to have problems, then I slowed down and gave remediation and individual help. The American school model of general ed degrees just doesn't work with over-indulged American kids.

dat natt wat de studies show. iff yuh tekk out blakks ann latino yuths out, yuh will see dat merikkan oyinbo yuths test score rate among da wurld best. da qwestian iss y deer iss racial disparitee? imagine sum school inn blakk area doan teach blakk yuths science ann iff dem doitt like wance a weak. imagine sum blakk yuths woo doan gitt recess. itt natt dat de merikkan model doan wukk cah itt do fe oyinbo yuths. itt dat de merikkan model do wukk fe blakk yuths

imagine mixxed race man got elected ann blakk yuths score went upp. blakk peeps affii gitt madd ann force oyinbo fe tapp messinn widd blakk yuth edukaysham

[blugiant]

in the UK they developed a broad curriculum that was diverse about a decade or so back... and they then pull back and concentrated on literacy and numeracy...they down sized parts of the curriculum so that there was an extra hour every day on both these fields..

I think that this guy may be right... Concentrate on getting the basics right by age 12 and then develop the other parts...

However they could teach indirectly by reading..

however given that the maths CXC is so poor I suspect the new teachers are not competent in maths

inn merikka dem allegedlee increased more competent miseducators ann dumb dunn da xxams ann itt showed veree slight increased inn math score. dem ave charter schools dat gitt ridd aff perfarminn yuths to improve da school score.

dem add studee dat yuths woo read comics books score better ann dem readinn comprehension score ar higher. so raddar dan teachinn readinn especiallee to blakk males yuths let dem read comics books ann den discussed itt. dat nuh inna cirricullum dough. more xxcercise ann yuths score better butt dem reduced p.e. ann introduced more sedintaree learninn

da qwestian yuh natt askinn wahalla iss wat de goal aff miseducation ann does itt benefit da societee iff more yuths were educationallee campeetent?

[Wahalla]

inn merikka dem allegedlee increased more competent miseducators ann dumb dunn da xxams ann itt showed veree slight increased inn math score. dem ave charter schools dat gitt ridd aff perfarminn yuths to improve da school score.

dem add studee dat yuths woo read comics books score better ann dem readinn comprehension score ar higher. so raddar dan teachinn readinn especiallee to blakk males yuths let dem read comics books ann den discussed itt. dat nuh inna cirricullum dough. more xxcercise ann yuths score better butt dem reduced p.e. ann introduced more sedintaree learninn

da qwestian yuh natt askinn wahalla iss wat de goal aff miseducation ann does itt benefit da societee iff more yuths were educationallee campeetent?

The aim of education for me is to give the young basic competency and the ability to learn..or as a Jamaican Rasta put it " education is a prism not a prision" . and yes it benefits society if more Jamaicans are adjudged as educationally comptent. I would wager that if you put up a kid from Jamaica with the basic competency of 5 CXC including maths and English against any kid their age. The reason being to achieve this in the Jamaican environment they are more determined.... they are better able to be trained...I see schools as a necessity for social cohesion.....

I would add that the minister is focused on early childhood education up to age 8 I believe but I would suggest that the emphasis should be on the basics.. as this smart doctor below says...

I would question the benifit to Jamaica of having all those non science, engineering, medicine, teaching, law degrees.. given that up to 70 percent of degree graduates migrate

And sorry a 8 or 9 year old reads comics as a education tool fine..... a 14 year old if you have to use comics to teach there is a competency issue... I like comics, Graphic Novels as they are now called or as the French call it "The fifth art" and encourage my children to read comics....( I got my son to read at 8 to read by diary of a wimpy kid).. I am a Asterix fan and have copies of the indomitable Gaul round the house especially in the toilet!)

I wonder if we did a look at Jamaicans who bleach if we would find a correlation between failure to be qualified and bleaching!

I dotn think that the US experience is a guide, for Jamaica less so than the UK out of which the Jamaican system evolved.. Jamaica needs to look for its own solution.. To me it is unacceptable that Barbados out performs Jamaica at CXC exams..

Last week there was also a article in the observer where Jamaica candidates place 119th in the world in the qualification for the MBA placement (GMBA i think it is called). This means that our post graduates are not performing comparable to the rest of the world.. I believe that TT and Barbados out performs us..

. fro me it is a social necessity to get all our children reading outside the school..This will improve the content of the music as teh subject matter would be broadened......the ability to reason will be enhanced........ Garvey who is the alpha male of all our alpha males was a huge reader from Marx, Thatchry, the Greek and roman classics was his field..... ... be it comics novels what ever.. anything except the bible as it is subject to too stringent dogmatic intolerant, interpretation by the Jamaican Taliban who are teh loudest noisemakers..

And reading will counter what I believe is Blu characterize as mis education... scratch that I am a voracious reader and am miseducated

[blugiant]

Comic Books Help Students Learn To Read And Improves Comprehension

By Jen Thames on April 12, 2013

Comic Books and Graphic Novels used to be considered off limits for reading in school. However, comic books, graphic novels, and even comic strips are making their way into the classrooms. There is a growing movement based on research that shows how comics can not only inspire kids to read, but can increase reading comprehension along with a number of other skills. Comics break through one of the most important reading barriers with kids, and that is getting them interested in reading in the first place.

Studies show that even comic strips (as in the Sunday comics) can give children a great start to reading and improve comprehension because it helps them learn sequencing of events and how stores unfold in a visual way. This is especially the case with children that have learning disabilities. The Examiner explains, “Using a Main Idea Comic Strip is a fun and creative way for students to keep track of information while learning how to extract out what is important.”

So, can reading about caped crusaders, superheroes, and Dennis the Menace lead to increased reading ability for children? Carol L. Tilley, an expert in children's literature and a professor of library and information science at the University of Illinois, explains that she believes that comics should have a place in the classroom since they are just as sophisticated as any other form of reading and is quoted as saying, "If reading is to lead to any meaningful knowledge or comprehension, readers must approach a text with an understanding of the relevant social, linguistic and cultural conventions.And if you really consider how the pictures and words work together in consonance to tell a story, you can make the case that comics are just as complex as any other kind of literature."

Here are some interesting facts on Graphic Novels from Teaching with Graphix:

• “Graphic novels can…help improve reading development for students struggling with language acquisition, as the illustrations provide contextual clues to the meaning of the written narrative.”

• “They require readers to be actively engaged in the process of decoding and comprehending a range of literary devices, including narrative structures, metaphor and symbolism, point of view, and the use of puns and alliteration, intertextuality, and inference.”

• “ Reading graphic novels can help students develop the critical skills necessary to read more challenging works, including the classics.”

[Wahalla]

I actually think that given the combination of images and text on screen these days comics are a comptent teaching aid to get used to how information is displayed....But it cannot be used in isolation as information density is lower than in a traditional text...

[Gen]

suh what's the solution ?

cause it certainly isn't as easy as doing x, y, z

same issues with public education here and zero solution

[Gen]

and in other news

Epic fail: All 25,000 students fail university entrance exam in Liberia





As UK students prepare for university in September, the University of Liberia faces a new term with no first years turning up to class.

Not one of the nearly 25,000 students applying for one of two state-run universities has passed the entrance exam, to the surprise of the country's education minister.


Etmonia David-Tarpeh, who described the widespread failure as “like mass murder”, plans to meet with university officials after school-leavers paid a fee of $25 each to take the test, only to see their dreams dashed.


Speaking to the BBC Focus on Africa programme, she said: “I know there are a lot of weaknesses in the schools but for a whole group of people to take exams and every single one of them to fail, I have my doubts about that. I’d really like to see the results of the students.”
A bloody civil war that ended a decade ago has left the education system in tatters, with many schools deprived of the simplest education resources and in dire need of qualified teachers. But a lack of enthusiasm and a basic grasp of English are behind the latest shocking statistic, a university spokesperson has said.


Defending the university’s decision, spokesman Momodu Getaweh confirmed that it would not be changing its stance, arguing that the government must put the war behind them and act fast on students’ complete ignorance of the “mechanics” of English.

http://www.independent.co.uk/student/news/epic-fail-all-25000-students-fail-university-entrance-exam-in-liberia-8785707.html

[blugiant]

And sorry a 8 or 9 year old reads comics as a education tool fine..... a 14 year old if you have to use comics to teach there is a competency issue... I like comics, Graphic Novels as they are now called or as the French call it "The fifth art" and encourage my children to read comics....( I got my son to read at 8 to read by diary of a wimpy kid).. I am a Asterix fan and have copies of the indomitable Gaul round the house especially in the toilet!)

yuh missinn da pint. use wat ever iss successful fe help da yuth readinn comprehension improve. yuh lookinn att itt as cometency issue mii look at itt as improvinn competencee regardless aff da yuth age. da onlee reason y mii neva gitt inn more chubble wen mii didd dat was dat moas aff mii yuths usuallee improve tree levels

wance reccomend itt to sum wan yah ann shi cood natt beeleeve mii add da nerve fe tell ar mekk ar yuth read comics. gurl luve fe read romantic books.
itt natt bout opinions itt bout improvinn yuths bye annee means