Game changing for education
AS WE prepare the nation's children to unlock their fullest potential, in keeping with the Vision 2030 goals, it is a good time to reflect on the pivotal year in education that was 2018.
Two key game-changing developments come readily to mind which, albeit controversial, show sector responsiveness to emerging needs and are worthy of celebration. Notwithstanding, perfection does not exist anywhere, and there are some trouble spots that require urgent attention. For the trouble spots, 2019 should be your year. developed world.
Of course, we can't change the curricula at the primary and secondary levels without changing the way we assess, hence the introduction of the Primary Exit Profile (PEP). PEP rids the system of the burdensome GSAT syllabus and exam which required students to memorise content from grades four to six. This new approach is designed to assess the students' knowledge of grade six content in addition to placing increased emphasis on assessing their demonstration of 21st-century skills such as critical thinking and communication.
Together, the new curricula and testing approaches serve to eliminate the old rote method of instruction and the over-reliance on testing, which left deep thinking and analysis somewhere out in the cold.
Another big win for education is the partnership with the Ministry of Health's Jamaica Moves programme and the sugar ban. There is a reason why diabetes and hypertension are called lifestyle diseases; therefore, if we change our lifestyle, we can change the outcomes. Children learn what they live, and habits are formed early, so school is the perfect place to ensure a healthy lifestyle. A big win for us all; my only question is, why didn't we do this earlier?
But all is not well in paradise ...