Thompson

DR RALPH Thompson, pioneer education activist, wants principals to be given increased powers, comparable to chief executive officers in the private sector, to fire teachers who are not "pulling their weight".

In the context of the challenges facing the education sector, Dr Thompson said there was an urgent need for proper leadership, particularly at the secondary level.

His comments come at a time when several principals, both at upgraded and some traditional high schools, are arguing that they are being given "basket to carry water".

An uphill task

They contend that the upgraded high schools continue to face an uphill task, as many students who pass the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) to attend these institutions are in urgent need of remedial lessons in math and English language.

The Gleaner's Education 2020 editorial project, which ranks high schools according to their performance in English and maths, unveiled some worrying findings.

In some instances upgraded high schools failed to register a single pass in math and English.

Not on par

Everton Walters, principal of Edwin Allen Comprehensive High, told The Gleaner that students from a number of feeder schools enter grade 7 illiterate. "We are challenged with the fact that the students that we get are not on par with the level they should be, they are working below the required grade level."

Nadine Molloy, president of the Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools, supported her colleague's position, arguing "If we do not get students that are ready to fully take advantage of a secondary level education, then we are always going to be producing the kinds of results that we produce.

"We are trained to teach students to sit the external examinations. We are not remedial or special educators, yet we are given the challenge to do that."