Kelly

When the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) results came out recently, it caused more anticipation than a penalty shoot-out.

Fingernails still haven't grown back on the hands of parents and children alike, as they waited impatiently to see where 'the ministry' had placed students for September.

Yes, we are in the time of year when students find out they are either going to the school they've been dreaming of or to some school they just wrote down to make up space. We've all heard the stories of children being very upset at being sent to a 'pop dung' school after they were pampered at a posh prep school. If you work at a high school, no matter what you do there, at least one parent has asked you what you can do for them.

'Yuh caan talk'

"Do sumting fi mi nuh. Mi likkle girl caan manige dah school deh," or some other variation is usually the refrain. "But boss, mi a jus' di watchman!" comes the reply. "No matta, yuh caan talk to di principal same way."

Tell them you can't help them and you're accused of being mean and unkind. Even if you do put in a word or two but just couldn't convince the 'bigger heads' to let the child in, you will have a hard time convincing the disappointed parent that you tried your best. Phone lines at the schools are now flooded with calls from desperate parents seeking transfers. The 'no space available' or 'no vacancy' signs have been written up, already and put out front, and people still come asking. Oh, to be a parent!

Now, I've heard people point out that it's not the school that's solely responsible for whether the child turns out a brilliant mind or a bum. Some of the biggest bums went to so-called recognised secondary institutions, while some of the brightest minds have alma maters that elicit the question, "whe name so?" It shouldn't matter where you enrol, but reality dictates differently.

Not well equipped

While I see the point that the school doesn't 'make' you, fact is, some schools are not as well equipped as others for students to get the best chance at achieving something (especially in the student's career of choice). Also, despite my admiration for teachers, I must say some of them aren't very good at bringing the lessons across. Some (very few, I think) don't really try either.

Anyway, I'm making friends with young school officials now so that when I (hopefully) father children and might have to do the transfer thing, there are a few people who can maybe help me out. Never too early to plan, is it?

You may register your child at daviot.kelly@gleanerjm.com.