THE EDITOR, Sir:
ON THE front page of Sunday Gleaner, dated August 22, the headline hit me, 'Low grades sink lower: Regional Grades sink lower'.
I am appalled at the idea that Jamaican children every year consistently do poorly with education. The other countries in the Caribbean I am unable to comment on, but most of them have a higher literacy rate than we do.
There are a few things I would like to say:
First and foremost, parents have a responsibility to the children they bear. Some parents, because of their age and socialisation, are unable to cope with adolescence (or any child) well.
Adolescence is a difficult time for a human being, but this is the time when leadership, mentoring and a strong sense of values and attitudes and discipline is needed by the head of the household. A student who has never had any of the above, who has a Mom or Dad who 'cannot be bothered' has no hope of doing well academically. Instilling early values (before adolescence) leads to the commitment needed to master the skill of studying to attain success. Special kudos to the single parents who have reaped success
Parents, even if they do not have the academic tools themselves, can instil discipline, self-worth, commitment to work and the value of education to their children. If parents are unable to, there are grandmas, the Church, government institutions and statutory bodies and mentor groups that can help in the early stages.
Peer pressure is a fact during adolescence but good values teach a child what to absorb and what to discard.
Students entrenched in speaking patois or the latest slangs cannot write Standard English when important exams are to be written. Standard English should be mastered early in life so that it can be used effectively when necessary.
An acceptance of mediocrity in whatever we do, and an inability to spearhead children at home will not allow them to reach their maximum potential.
Finally, some parents are much too young. Their immaturity prevents them from dealing with the problems of their children. This leads to frustration which is taken out on the child hence preventing learning.
I am, etc.,
W. SLATER AZAN
orchid_azan@hotmail.com
18 Bennett Close
Kingston 10
