JTA President, Dr. Mark Nicely has instructed the nation's
teachers to disregard the Ministry of Education's master book list. He stated
that if teachers are sanctioned by the ministry, the JTA will defend them.
While his rationale is important, I think he is going about this the wrong way,
and, it speaks a lot about him as leader.
With reference to a media report, the president said, “My
recommendation, frankly, is that you are to proceed until you are apprehended,
and when you are apprehended, the Jamaica Teachers' Association will be there
to treat with the matter.” So, is that to say students should disobey school
rules because they know their parents will defend them, if it is that they
disagree with the school’s rules? What kind of backwardness is that for leader?
We need to mindful of what we say, and how we go about dealing with situations.
Mr. Nicely also stated that teachers were the experts and they should do what they believe is best for the students in their classrooms. This is very much true, no one book contains all the information, and it is fair enough if teachers recommend books that they believe will provide quality content that is resourceful to students. But, teachers should also dialogue with the parents and as such come to an agreement. we also cannot ignore the fact that teachers are recommending books that are never used and that in and of itself, must stop. For, it is burdening the parents who can hardly support their children.
When I was in primary school, I see students with books that
were never used in class. As educators, we have to be mindful of our status
quo, and the very fact that times are tough, jobs are scarce, and parents
cannot afford it. And, we cannot ignore inquiries of parents, rules and
policies set by the Ministry. What example are we setting for those who are
looking to us to lead them? What example are we setting for the future leaders
of tomorrow? This ‘do what I say, and not what I do’ will not cut it, we need
to be role models. And, what Dr. Nicely is proposing, is not how we ought to do
it.
The solution is simple, since Dr. Nicely says that we
(educators) are the experts, then, it is fair that the Ministry of Education
dialogue with the JTA. As such, strategically select a committee of teachers
who are competent in respective subject areas, to review the curriculum, and
select books that are most suitable for a specific grade level in which the
content of the books matches the objectives of the curriculum. There is no
need for the Ministry and the JTA to be in a ‘cock fight’, the two entities can
work together and therefore make it advantageous for all. With this proposal,
teachers will get the chance to select their books, only that it will be under
a strategic framework organized by the Ministry.
I am not sure under what regime the Ministry selects the
“master booklist,” but if this proposal is considered, the committee could also
review the booklist and determine the books that should stay and if needs be,
the ones that should go. The President needs to be a leader and provide
solutions, rather than telling teachers to be delinquent. With this type of
behavior that he is advocating it open my eyes to why people view
teachers the will they do. A word to the wise, “yuh cah sen monkey go ring
church bell!”
