The Editor, Sir:

I wish that Jamaicans would really understand that the recent 'incidents' in our schools are only a small sample of what teachers deal with daily. On any given day, the teacher is parent, confidante, lawyer, judge, therapist, health care provider, police detective, banker. You name it, we do it. The problem is that many people think that we are only there to facilitate excellent exam grades. Yes, this should be our primary focus, but we are called on to do so much more. There are so many factors that stand in the way of the academic achievement of the majority of young Jamaicans. Many adults cannot even begin to perceive the problems students face and we judge them through adult eyes.

When I first entered teaching, I too felt that my objective was to teach them the content they needed to get that A. Today, I see that no diploma or degree can really prepare the Jamaican teacher for what is happening in our schools. I tell young teachers that the field of education is not for cowards. Each day we go out to work we need to put on the whole armour of God. Each day we go to work, we need to carry love and empathy for children who very often do not even see the sense of what we are trying to teach them. Then, we must face the constant criticism of people who would not last a minute in our shoes.

My deepest wish

Sir, it is my deepest wish that the members of both political parties, the Church, business leaders and Jamaicans in general would understand that a change is needed not just in schools, but in our nation. The change we need is not just for political mileage or for publicity on the front page, but for the future of Jamaica. It is a change that goes far beyond our desire for economic wealth. It is a change that is needed for the quality of life for Jamaicans today and in the future.The bigger question is, what kind of life do we want in another five, 10, or 15 years? Sir, we cannot wait. We cannot spend money on another task force . We need to act now if we hope to save our children. Act now if we hope to save Jamaica!

I am, etc.,

GRACE GREAVES

gracie_greaves37@yahoo.com

Kingston 2

Via Go-Jamaica