Are we really serious about this Education Revolution?

Tue, Sept 4, 2012

Editor: I honestly thought that I understood what the education revolution was all about.

I have heard the Minister of Education on many occasions saying that no child will be left behind. I must admit that I have seen some improvements in education, especially when it comes to opportunities to pursue studies abroad.{{more}}

However, I am puzzled when I see some of the things going on in education at this time. I think that when the Minister of Education said that no child will be left behind, that she should have told us that SOME TEACHERS WILL BE LEFT BEHIND.

I speak of the THREE teachers who are still at home and have not been rehired by MY GOVERNMENT.

I want to single out ONE of these teachers at this time, for good reason…that teacher is ELVIS DANIEL.

We all know by now that the mathematics results at the CSEC level this year are poor. We also know that Mr Daniel has taught math at the secondary level for over 20 years with a great degree of success.

As far as I know, Mr Daniel had reapplied for his job since December 2010 and was told repeatedly that there is no vacancy.

IS THIS REALLY TRUE? WHY IS MR DANIEL LEFT BEHIND IN THIS EDUCATION REVOLUTION?

AM I TO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE POST AVAILABLE FOR HIM IN 26 SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTRY?

I KNOW THAT WHEN YOU COMBINE THE NUMBER OF MATH PASSES AT SANDY BAY SECONDARY, GEORGETOWN SECONDARY, COLONARIE SECONDARY, NORTH UNION SECONDARY AND ADELPHI SECONDARY,YOU GET FEWER THAN 10 PASSES IN THESE FIVE SCHOOLS.

All of these schools are close to where Mr Daniel lives in Georgetown. Why can’t he be sent to one or even two of these schools to teach math?.

OR why can’t he be sent to the ALEVEL COLLEGE or the TEACHERS’ COLLEGE, where his services are greatly needed? After all, he taught at these institutions before, so he has the experience necessary.

I am monitoring this situation carefully. The prime minister is saying that some thing should be done about the MATH and ENGLISH pass rate this year.

If Mr DANIEL is NOT included in the mathematics programme at ONE of the many levels in our country, then this will finally convince me that we are TALKING education revolution, but we are not WALKING the TALK. This is SAD because I honestly thought that THIS government that I proudly supported since 2001 is serious about progress in education.

Once again I ask, ARE WE GOING TO LET MR DANIEL STAY AT HOME FOR YET ANOTHER YEAR?

THIS IS DEFINITELY WRONG. NO ONE WHO IS PART OF CARIBBEAN CIVILIZATION SHOULD ALLOW THIS INJUSTICE TO CONTINUE.

PLAIN MINDED.