It represented a matriculation of sorts, graduating from Queen’s College, to seek high remuneration employment, at a prestigious Commercial Bank. For this was the route many took in their gap year, since PPP in their infinite wisdom, scrapped the character-building National Service. However, I was an exception, counted in the class of 93, from a different background than most.
A different, but not unique background of poverty, with daily financial struggles, that stood unimaginable. Which meant, monies for extra-lesson were fanciful, albeit made urgent with the premature dismissal of our chemistry teacher. For he, a Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), allegedly ate one too many forbidden fruits, in succumbing to his carnal urges. As a result, on the next flight he was out, to explain why he crossed the redline, corrupting she, who could’ve been his daughter.
But while he endured a grilling in the land of freezing darkness, we were left without a teacher, to guide us through our dark abyss, chemistry. Which meant, Ms. Jordan’s afterschool chemistry lessons, for the privileged many, overflowed like hot larva. For this represented a financial windfall for her, even as it spelt an academic catastrophe for us, the impoverished few. Since from that day, whence our chemistry teacher prematurely departed, we had to decipher textbooks, without pedagogic guidance.
Therefore, understandable it must be, we were of the opinion, Ms. Jordan careless about us, as she only imparted knowledge to those with dollars and influence. In fact, it was this experience of not having a chemistry teacher, which informed my decision to return to my Alma Mater. However, even as I undertook what I love, cognisant I was, a teacher’s remuneration is in no way comparable to a Commercial Bank, for it’s of pittance, pity and no prestige.
Nevertheless, to the present we fast forward, where the clueless Priya Manickchand is at the helm of a Ministry, that remunerates teachers, pitiful pittance. In fact, the haplessly hopeless Priya Manickchand, I’ve never met, and thankfully so. However, this I recall of the Louis Vuitton flaunting installed Minister, her husband Murli and sister Jaya, were once registered as my students, therefore can attest to my teaching declaration.
As a matter of fact, Ms. Louis Vuitton, of no better characterisation, who is of much pomposity and arrogance, only holds a basic law degree. Which means, either out of limited aptitude or laziness, she hasn’t pursued any postgraduate or teaching qualification, required to effectively lead such an important Ministry.
Notwithstanding, despite her limitations, in both qualifications and gravitas, Ms. Louis Vuitton would lord over our highly qualified teachers, as if she is some world-renowned Education Theorist. And predictably, failures she delivers, evident in teachers resigning en masse, even as our children’s failures, in Maths and English, plaster their report cards. For these are some 2023 statistics, emanating from our Hinterland Communities
- In the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), only 37% and 18%, passed English and Maths respectively.
- In the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), NONE achieved a Grade One, with the best grade being a Grade Three.
Thus, we examine some National statistics, also for 2023.
- In CSEC Maths, only 4% earned a Grade One, predominantly from private and elite schools.
- In CSEC Maths, the pass rate is 30%, that is 7 in every 10 students failed.
- The School dropout rate is 50%, the highest in this hemisphere.
Mark’s Take
But the reality is, my teaching experience in the public schools, was for a solitary year, Nevertheless, it was hard work. Very arduous work. For as a teacher, I wore many hats. Teacher. Social worker. Psychologist. Counsellor. As a matter of fact, wearing that many hats meant, I took much of my work at home. Which meant, test papers were marked, up until the dark of midnight. Then having completed marking, lessons were prepared, for the subjects I taught. However, I was a teenager and single, therefore if family responsibilities were factored in, an impossible task it would’ve been.
And it’s for this reason, I have Godly reverence for the divine work our teachers undertake daily, in PPP shanty classrooms. But having said that, this pronouncement. Priya Manickchand and in extension PPP, evident in the depressing statistics, is failing our children and teachers. For investments in our children and teachers, are long overdue. In fact, our teachers deserve a liveable wage. Our teachers deserve Smart classrooms, conducive to teaching and learning. Our teachers deserve leaders who respect them. Our teachers deserve to see the back of Ms. Louis Vuitton. Priya Manickchand must go.
