An opinion
paper
The nation
is distressed about the results of the CXC exams. We are especially appalled about the percentage
who failed in mathematics and English Language.
We need to take a good look at the sciences and foreign languages. Where exactly are we heading? How are we preparing our children for life in
the 21st century and beyond?
Why exactly do our children fail?
I could go online and research reasons for failure and find many, but I
want to make my response local.
Sometimes self-assessment is critical if an individual or institution is
to improve. So let us examine
ourselves. The process has to begin
somewhere. This is my attempt.
1. Lack of clear policies from the ministry of education
1. Lack of clear policies from the ministry of education
There is a lack of clear plans emanating from the Ministry of Education to
assist teachers to maintain skills in a changing environment. Research in education is an ongoing
process. It is useless then to train
teachers, return them to the classroom and have no clear policy to ensure that
teachers keep abreast of what is happening in the learning community that can impact their classroom.
Workshop attendance is insufficient.
The Ministry of Education should have clear policies regarding the renewal
of teacher certification at specific intervals through participation in
specific education courses. Policies are needed to respond to questions such as: What is expected of
teachers? What is expected of students? What is expected of parents? How does
each stakeholder in education deal with grievances? Not only should these
questions be answered, but the answer should be made public on the ministry’s
website and through white papers and brochures.
Antigua is the only place I know where you are given a job and not
advised about your rights and responsibilities.
2. Poor environment
2. Poor environment
Time has moved on, but we have not changed with the times. As a result we find ourselves left further
and further behind. We open new schools
repeating the same old problems. There
is not one government school in Antigua that has been designed with the comfort
of teachers and pupils in mind. If I am
incorrect and comfort was the original intent, then we have strayed from that intent. All are utilitarian. So we herd our children into overcrowded
classrooms where there is barely room for the teacher to stand in front of the
class and expect them to perform. Are we
crazy or what? This is especially true
in our secondary schools. We send a
steady stream of teachers to the Teacher Training College where they learn
about the various theorists and new methodologies. Then they return to the same old congestion and
feel impotent to try anything new. What
have we given the schools to support these new methodologies? The schools lack equipment and material to
teach the subject in new and meaningful ways.
3. Improper Use of Technology
3. Improper Use of Technology
For years each secondary school has had a computer lab. To what end? The labs are only used to teach information technology. Technology has neither been integrated into the curriculum nor into actual classroom practice. Now we have given each teacher a laptop and plan to give fourth and fifth formers
ipads. Can all teachers use the laptops
efficiently and effectively? Do all
teachers know how to use technology to facilitate student learning? If not, what use will be made of the laptops
and iPads? Decisions about education are too serious and have too lasting an effect for them to be made in a frivolous off-hand manner. Where's the research into teachers' and pupils' technological skills before making the decision to introduce these modalities? Don't get me wrong. I am a firm believer in the use of modern technologies in the teaching learning process, but have preparations been made to ensure their effective use?
4. Waning interest
4. Waning interest
There is declining participation in subject areas such as foreign languages and
the sciences. I have only one question
to ask. Why is it that all children study
at least one foreign language and the science subjects in secondary school, yet
when they get to fourth and fifth form only a few opt to write these subjects
and many fail? This area requires
thoughtful examination into content, methodologies, and student and teacher
approaches and attitudes to the subject.
5. Lack of parental support
5. Lack of parental support
What exactly is the role of the parent in this equation? Many parents are not there for their
children. Many do not ensure that they are
properly fed, that they are appropriately attired for school, that they have
the necessary material as requested by teachers to facilitate participatory
learning activities, that they do their homework and allocate study time. You might ask, what does being correctly
dressed have to do with failure? Some
schools (and rightly so) have a dress code and will send children home for
incorrect uniform. That means the loss
of valuable contact time. Some parents
just do not care. If the Ministry of
Education had strict well known policies concerning these matters some of these
issues would not be encountered.
6. Culture
6. Culture
We are a nation at risk for our children are ill-prepared to meet future
challenges. We have nurtured a culture
where for the most part little value is placed on education. Sure, we are happy as a nation where we see
our children succeed, but what are we doing to ensure success for all? Indifference has set in. Many children go to school for lack of
anything else to do. The intent is not
to learn. Efforts should be made to get
us back to the place where we value and nurture education.
7. Lack of motivation
7. Lack of motivation
Students need to be motivated to learn.
They have to desire to succeed and to overcome in spite of all the
negatives. A program should be started
in every school where individuals in society who are successful, mentor
students. It takes a village.
8. Peer Relationships
8. Peer Relationships
Children should choose friends carefully since that can have a positive or
negative impact on their lives. Time
should be devoted to new first formers to attempt to break the cycle.
9. Failure to Communicate
9. Failure to Communicate
Students who fail sometimes do so because they do not reach out to others. Sometimes, they do not understand a crucial
concept and they do not ask. Maybe they
are embarrassed and do not want their peers to know for fear they will be
ridiculed. Students need to be
encouraged to voice their opinions and seek help when needed.
10. Failure to Plan
10. Failure to Plan
Students will not succeed unless they plan to succeed and teachers are a part of
this process. As teachers plan their
work this should be shared with students.
They should know what will be covered each term. The Ministry of Education should make all
syllabi available online and have hard copies for purchase. This will facilitate student planning
ahead. They will be able to start to
research topics teachers plan to cover and also to have an input into their own
learning.
8 comments:
Dorothea,
Your legitimate questions need proper contemplation for effective answers. Other teachers might not be able to use computers to impart knowledge. That could be a reason for the IT’s teacher monopolizing the lab. Series of professional development might remedy the situation. Though technology is just a mere vehicle, its effective use provides tools for implementing constructivist principles (student-centered learning) to facilitate collaboration (Palmarova & Lovaszova, 2012). However, the main problem the writer forsees is the lack of appropriate teaching theories and strategies in the school. Educators, policy makers, educators, parents, innovators, need to think about educational reform.
Reference
Palmarova, V., & Lovaszova, G. (2012). Mobile technology used in an adventurous outdoor learning activity: A case study. Problems of Education in the 21st Century, 44, 64-71.
Segla,
I couldn't agree with you more.
Dorothea
I agree that the above mentioned points are necessary for our students to pass their exams but it would be pointless without vision. There is a lack of vision on the part of our educators and policy makers. For example, the teacher-students cannot major in Information Technology because the Ministry of Education does not have anything in place. They were told that they would have to major in another subject area while studying at the teacher training college. Information Technology is part of the school’s curriculum. When these teachers return to their schools they will be teaching IT. Sometimes, I am confused because we boast about the IT devices that we give away to our students but we are unable to offer a course because we have nothing in place at the teacher training college. Eleven years and 285 days of the 21st century have passed and we haven't solved one of these problems.
Seagla has made valid points. They need to think about education reform and conduct a series of professional development workshops or training. They should start these sessions off with educators, stakeholders and policy makers. I feel like they are uncertain as to how to create and implement these policies.
Hello Royjr
I couldn't agree with you more. There is an old saying that we shouldn't "put the cart before the horse. It seems to me that we have a history of doing that in Antigua. Its like putting a new patch in an old garment. Where are the plans that should be put in place to effect the use of technology in the classroom? There needs to be a two-pronged approach: 1) teach teachers to use technology and provide specialized training for technology teachers and 2)teach teachers to use technology and to integrate it into their daily classroom practice. If something is not done soon, we will continue to fall behind.
Let's keep the conversation going and get others to join.
Dorothea
Education is not a static entity. Therefore, teaching and learning should evolve. However, the idea of a government's lack of vision may be so entrenched that arguably, the education of the 19th century is still what transpires in the 21st century. The lack of vision translates into a "Lack of clear policies from the ministry of education". In terms of education, this lack of guidance from the head almost certainly ensures that our students fails. Without a vision - the people perish.
This lack of vision will engulf and consume us. What of the future of our nation? Our future lies in the hand of young people ill prepared to make the right choices. The Ministry of Education needs to plan from the ground up. Until we can be honest, say what is wrong, and make concrete cohesive plans to right it, nothing will change. The patch-worked, hodgepodge of ideas that currently operates for policy certainly should not be allowed to continue. Our children and our future deserve better.
Thank you, I've recently been looking for info about this topic for a while and yours is the
greatest I have discovered till now. However, what about the bottom line?
Are you certain in regards to the supply?
Hello Anonymous,
Thanks for continuing the conversation. When you say the bottom line and supply, I take it to mean the costs of providing the type of facilities, staff, and training required by 21st century education. I think what our people need is a vision of what education should/can be, then work consistently towards that end. Of course all of the schools cannot be made top notch at the same time, but if we sit wringing our hands and lamenting the cost nothing will ever happen. We begin with one school at a time. Is that impossible?
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