The Editor, Sir:

As a teacher who has been in the classroom for the last 16 years, I find it offensive to hear that the best teachers have 'left the classroom'. Should it be assumed that those of us who have made the decision to stay are somehow not good enough?

There is a widely held perception that students attending traditional high schools somehow get a superior education. The question needs to be asked, do we all get the same material to work with? Case in point - I teach at a school that is considered marginal.

Low averages

We received 121 students through the GSAT exam. Not one of these students achieved an average of 50 per cent or above. Those who scored higher grades were, of course, sent to the schools perceived as better.

From this same institution, all the students who sat the CXC exam were successful in two or more subjects, including English language. Is it that they were offered inferior teaching? Or did we seek to do the best with the material we were given?

While I am cognisant of some of the inefficiencies of the system, there needs to be more input of regular classroom teachers in the discussions as it relates to some of these problems. This will give the public a better perspective of the dynamics at work, some of which no amount of money can fix.

I am, etc.,

MARJORIE SAMUELS

jorie_penny@yahoo.com