Holness says failing schools can’t be ignored

Jamaica’s education Minister Andrew Holness says the issue of failing schools cannot be ignored and has signalled that no effort will be spared to transform these institutions.

“Education is too important to national development that we cannot sit by and allow any of our schools to fail in the service of our children,” the minister said in his back-to-school message Sunday.

In what appeared to be a thinly veiled jab at the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), which has lambasted him for labelling some institutions failing schools, Holness said the Government had decided to confront “the difficult and controversial issues in education”.

“We are aware that such a move will not be without resistance, however, we are resolute and committed to transforming Jamaica through education,” Holness said.

Former JTA president, Nadine Molloy-Young, last month urged the minister to desist from using the label of failing schools.

“… You know that the essential ingredients necessary to our children’s performance are missing, and it’s not the fault of the teacher,” she said.

This past Sunday, new president, Paul Adams, stressed to teachers that “despite the challenges, you will have a learning environment which will afford you the opportunity to achieve your full potential”.

Meanwhile, Holness, pointing to measures such as the Jamaica Teaching Council and the National College for Education Leadership, which he said would be operational before the end of the year, said they would transform the management and instructional paradigm of schools in Jamaica.

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