Is it any wonder when Jamaicans children seem to be clueless and lost in a world of confusion, turmoil and sometimes clueless about which role model to choose. In today’s Sunday Gleaner, reports are made from an editor’s forum held by the Gleaner Company.
ARTICLE:
POLICYMAKERS in the education ministry have been scolded by the hierarchy of Jamaica’s two major principals’ associations for failing to consult with educators on too many issues.
Albert Corcho, principal of Tarrant High School and president of the Association of Principals and Vice-Principals, believes the approach of the ministry demonstrates that the State does not take education seriously.
“I don’t think that the Government truly understands the importance of education,” said Corcho at a principals’ forum held at The Gleaner’s North Street offices recently.
But special adviser to the education minister, Ruel Reid, told The Sunday Gleaner that he categorically resented the claim that consultations were lacking. Reid, who is also principal of Jamaica College, said he understands some of the concerns being voiced, but his colleagues, at times, forgot who was the boss. “Sometimes principals forget that they are employees of the education ministry. It is as if we don’t want to submit ourselves to the policy directives of the ministry,” he said.
“The ministry is supposedly the body that sets policy. Too often we feel as principals that there is a need for elaborate consultation … . Every principal and every classroom teacher wants to be consulted, and that’s not practical,” added Reid.