From left, Diana Cross, principal of Covenant Christian Academy, and Dr. Herbert Thompson, President of NCU.
Damion Mitchell, Staff Reporter
ADMINISTRATORS OF independent schools said yesterday that these institutions were not adequately recognised or appreciated by the Ministry of Education as essential partners in the development of education.
Wayne Robinson, president of the Jamaica Independent Schools Association (JISA), said that even with the establishment of an independent schools section in the Ministry, private institutions were still not being fairly treated.
"I don't even know if we can call it a section, it is understaffed and under-funded," Robinson said while attending a Gleaner Editors' Forum at the company's North Street, central Kingston offices.
"We (JISA) have to set up our own secretariat, have our own database, have our own liaison, (and) have our own linking with each because they (the Independent section) just don't have the ability to do it," he said.
Dr. Herbert Thompson, president of the Northern Caribbean University (NCU), relating his disappointment with the perception of independent schools said, "I just don't understand this obsession about private being a dirty word."
Mr. Robinson and Dr. Thompson were two of the seven independent school administrators in attendance at yesterday's Editors' Forum where the role of independent schools in the development process was examined.
Contacted yesterday, Freda Jones, the registrar of independent schools in the Ministry of Education, said there was in fact a shortage in the number of persons operating from that office. "Because of the increase in the number of schools there needs to be an increase in the level of staffing," she said.
There are currently more than 350 registered independent institutions islandwide with another 40 now being processed, Mrs. Jones said.
MINISTRY'S CURRICULUM
Mr. Robinson told the forum that independent institutions use the Ministry's curriculum but noted that they have been enriched making them more effective teaching manuals.
"The Ministry does not regard the private section of the education sector as full partners," said Diana Cross, principal of the Covenant Christian Academy.
"We are not looking for hand-outs but there is to be the underlying sense that if we are pulled in as full partners, we can do more," she stated.
She noted that there were "pockets of excellence" throughout the education system, including in independent schools, however, these attainments were not being shared, as independent schools were not included in educational conferences and consultations.
In addition, she said they were excluded from competitions in some extracurricular activities and are not represented on the National Council of Education.
"This is patently absurd," said Dr. Ralph Thompson, a member of the Council, who was also at the forum. He noted that given the success of independent institutions at several levels of the education system, indicated by among other things, the passes in external examinations, private schools should be treated with more importance.
According to Dr. Herbert Thompson, the Government must recognise the importance of partnership, not just between the Ministry of Education and private schools, but also with teachers who could assist with further training exchanges with public schools.
