It is highly likely all the details associated with the temporary closure of the Grantley Adams School have not been divulged to the public. It is also highly likely that if it was one of the brandname schools we would probably be hearing a lot more about what led to a secondary school being closed for months.
A casual review of how school plants have been managed- occurring under successive governments- is unacceptable. It has become patently obvious those charged with managing the physical school plant are incapable of doing the job.
To be clear, it should not matter where the finger should be pointed, the buck stops with government via its agent the ministry of education. There has been suggestions that the upkeep of schools rest with the Governing Body, a copout.
Every start of the school year we are subjected to the same script – all schools with the exception of a couple will be ready for first day of school, and a few days later an unacceptable number of schools have to close for different reasons.
To add to the list of woes gleaned from sporadic reports, many schools have also been labouring to fill time tables for key subjects like Mathematics and other science subjects. What in the CXC hell is going on? Are we seriously contemplating education reform and unable to complete basic upkeep to the minimum functioning of our school plant?
There is no need to be prolix on this matter. We have discussed all that we can about the outcome of having very square pegs in round holes at the Ministry of Education and other ministries. Many more qualified to address education matters have opined that decision makers in the ministry of education lack the intellectual fibre to deliver a fit for purpose package for Barbados. A package that would feed sustainable national development so that we continue to enjoy an acceptable way of life.
Another general election cycle is looming and one can anticipate there will be another discussion about if to jettison the Barbados Common Entrance Examination (BCEE) better known as the 11+. To be honest, given the level of incompetence demonstrated at the ministry of education in recent years, many wonder if we should adhere to the adage -“you don’t know what you have until it’s gone” and continue with 11+.
We cannot have highly qualified individuals being paid salaries in the respective ministries and the output measured in many of our schools closed for months. The children are attending online classes in some cases, however, the Covid 19 experience suggests it is a less than ideal alternative for delivering instruction, especially to young adolescents.
As the country involves itself in the ascension of Trump to the White House and the lack of local chicken available at fast food establishments, we dither on the important issue of education.
Has the time come for education to be managed by an independent body?
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.