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How to raise standards

August 11

This is a letter sent to Philip Butterfield, chairman of the Interim Executive Board, set up to implement recommendations of the Hopkins report into education in Bermuda,

Dear Sir,

Please permit me to have your attention. I am a mother of four children who passed successfully through the public school system prior to 1990. Now I am a grandmother and two of my grandchildren are in the current school system. I have dogs in this fight!!

Firstly, let us look at statistics.

Approximately 30 percent of all births in Bermuda are to single mothers, some of whom are barely into their mid teens and possibly had to drop out or interrupt their education to deliver their babies.

There is a very high divorce rate which again increases the number of children being raised in single parent households, with or without assistance from the other parent.

Logically, only those children whose parents are married and financially stable can be expected to be enrolled in the fee paying private schools, where educational success is generally at a high average. Possibly these parents were well educated themselves and motivated and able to encourage and assist their students in reaching the required goals.

This would appear to exclude, for the most part, those children who find themselves in single parent homes, due to the financial hardships common to single parents, many of whom work two jobs to keep up with the high cost of essentials.

So we have established a likelihood that possibly as many as 60 percent of children in our public school system may be financially disadvantaged, parentally disadvantaged and possibly emotionally disadvantaged by the hardships of their family situation. Experience has shown me that such children are often angry, disappointed and easily distracted or led astray by their peers.

Under these circumstances, our public education system needs to provide, from the earliest point in each child's school career: Instruction in life skills; pro-active counselling and real encouragement, to ensure that in reality no child will be left behind.

There is no reason to suppose that persons who have dedicated their lives to the teaching profession are not truly making every effort to help their students learn, but in addition to good teachers, we must have for each class, a counselor/teaching assistant, who can provide lifeskills training, encouragement and support in basic learning skills.

Add to this a system which tests the progress of each student at regular and frequent intervals through out the school year, to assist in maintaining the level of achievement required for that year's syllabus and a clearly understood policy of recycling every student who does not achieve the required level of competence.

Better to do any level of primary or secondary education twice over than to fall steadily further behind your peers because you did not grasp the basics early on.

Nothing is more demoralising or discouraging than falling behind, but many children are afraid or unwilling, to ask for the help they need, parents may be unaware of the problem, or unable, due to their own educational shortcomings, to be of any help to their child. Disappointed, angry children act out and drop out, we have to save our kids from failure!!!

The system has to spot the problems early and provide the necessary help and encouragement to ensure that each student will succeed in learning all the basics he needs, to read and write good English, do basic maths and conduct himself in a manner which is conducive to employment on leaving school, for even the least able among our students.

Clearly the aim is to raise the standards of achievement across the board, for Bermuda has some of the healthiest and brightest youngsters on the planet, but they need direction and encouragement or they may simply grow like weeds and realize, only late in life, that they could have done so much more if the system had not let them fall through the cracks.

I do realize that this will probably require considerably more funds being put into the Educational System, but our children are our future, there is no better investment than in the health and education of our children. I doubt if there would be any protest from the community if we placed more emphasis on greater spending for teachers salaries and recruiting, training and paying good salaries to the support staff/counselors. It is not the buildings that matter, it is the people in them who inspire kids to want to learn and achieve.

Lastly, but probably quite as important, we need a really creative program for after school care and homework programs, so that kids are not let loose on the streets to wander home to empty houses before their parents can be home to feed and supervise them. The education budget should include funding for staff and materials for this. Did I mention text books?!!

This is a small enough community that we should be able to manage this, it is not rocket science and the island's future depends upon the success of ALL our children.

These comments, suggestions and requests are offered with only the best of intentions, with no criticism intended toward any persons, parties or organizations.

MARGARET DYER FORSTER

HAMILTON

great read...to the point and spot on.  If only the people who could make this happen were in the business of addressing the needs of the people...

CC

Very true Angle. Times do change. There are so many options out there for youngsters today, as well as parents. On the short side, years ago, there were no options. Work, school, play. No after school activities except clean house etc cause Mom and Dad were working. You pulled your weight or you did not "ate" because you were part of the 'chain'. Today, everyone wants everything done for them, only because they are told that it is required. Hum fum.......

If parents would relate more than they debate half our problems would negate unto ourselves.

This bothers me quite a bit.  I had to work when my kids were young too, but I made it a point to be there for them during non school hours.  I was fornunate that I could alter my works hours to accomodate this.  Those who can't need to find another job. 

These children are our future, whatever country you are in.  They grow up glued to the TV or video games and no real interaction with their parents who are supposed to be the ones teaching them lifes lessons.  It's great if the schools can have people there to do this but it needs to come from the parents.  I'm sure these kids wonder why they don't rate much of their parents time and attention.  I have relatives with kids in this situation and it breaks my heart and I worry about their long term well being. 

If you don't wish to raise your children, don't have them.