The Editor, Sir:

I read Dr. Ralph Thompson's analysis of the 2007 CSEC examination results, and I am truly amazed that Jamaica appears to be producing a nation of certified illiterate professionals who went to high school.

If our technical high schools are producing failures of 81 per cent in English and 90 per cent in math. It is obvious that many students do not speak standard English so the written words (written in standard English) and pronunciation thereof will cause difficulty.

From my observation of six years involvement in my local community and schools, the Ministry of Education and social service agencies do not appear to work together as closely as they should. Very few trust the police. The physical abuse of children continues; everyone knows, and yet nothing gets done. The few counsellors provided to the schools are inadequate for the needs. Help is often offered years after the act and offered at a time when very little if anything can be done to bring about redress. The Government could elicit a pool of volunteers (for example certified counsellors and educational assistants, such as phonics teachers) to help.

In my case, students and teachers alike call me 'Aunty'. Every one of us needs to know that someone loves or cares about us. I listen to them, give them a hug and tell them of my childhood abroad. So many children are stressed and distressed. So many painful issues have never been addressed in childhood are brought into adulthood and can seriously affect the quality of life we have as adults. We are a nation of frustrated people waiting to explode like a volcano.

I am, etc.,

PANSY GAYLE

plgayle05@yahoo.com

St. Mary