High school as sports academies

[Sir X]

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/c...orts-academies

[Jangle]

I agree with most of what he's saying except this...

"To enhance their athletics programme, more and more high schools are laying down all-weather synthetic running tracks of international standard; and slowly , these sports academies (in all but name) are building boarding facilities to accommodate students from far away."

I've seen conversations by some who hit out against the schools that have invested in upgrading their infrastructure. Their arguments just reek of envy. There can be nothing wrong with a school upgrading their infrastructure. As a matter of fact, all schools across Jamaica needs upgrading as most of them were built from 19-how-long.

[Sir X]

The real question to him as a sociologist, is does the investment in these sports academies contribute to an increase in academic development of the school,and the answer to that is simple! take it away from these schools, would they have an increase in academic infrastructure ?

The answer to me would be a resounding no.An increase in sports infrastructure is symbiotic to the academic infrastructure.These critics are looking for the ivory tower in a nation of scarce resources but even richer nations like those in the USA that relationship is promoted as part and parcel of its development.


Why should a third world nation be any different ?

[Sir X]

To prove the point after Ardenne won the Manning cup for the 1st time in its history ,it expanded on to its science lab and library.Every one loves a winner,i guess the old boys & girls loved it !

[Islandman]

In theory that may be true but it doesn't always work out that way. For example right now one of the schools we are working with on this STEM thing, traditional high school that spends a disproportionate amount on football and have a very successful record, can't raise three grand to send two students on an all schools team that is being assembled for an international tournament (more on that later).

It doesn't have to be all or nothing. I am not fundamentally against recruiting outside JA but the recruiters of those students should be paying some kind of fee for them to be educated at a Jamaican public school. I am not fundamentally against $200k upgrades in sports facilities if it is sponsored by money that has been raised to go to sports, but govt should not be contributing to this when other schools can't find a sponsor for basic gear and first aid.

We effectively have some schools doubling a sports academies right now, that is fine if that's what they want but that arm of the school should be treated like a privately funded institution and not cannibalise public funds while they are doing it.

[Sir X]

I agree that governments should not be financing this ,also it doesnt have to be all or nothing.Every system has its faults this will too.We see it here in the states with all the pay to play scandals with agents,schools and sponsors.More so in colleges than high schools, but our system of semi pro sports has its foundations rooted in high schools,so thats where we will see the scandals.

[Islandman]

That is true.

[Reggaedoc]

I agree with most of what he's saying except this...

"To enhance their athletics programme, more and more high schools are laying down all-weather synthetic running tracks of international standard; and slowly , these sports academies (in all but name) are building boarding facilities to accommodate students from far away."

I've seen conversations by some who hit out against the schools that have invested in upgrading their infrastructure. Their arguments just reek of envy. There can be nothing wrong with a school upgrading their infrastructure. As a matter of fact, all schools across Jamaica needs upgrading as most of them were built from 19-how-long.

Agree Jangle. Almost every school in the US has a synthetic track, an athletics direcror, a clean cafeteria, a school nurse, and a nutritionist to oversee the cafeteria. This while we are still debating the need for these things while our students are getting the usual daily fill of patties with coco bread and bag juice and playing sports on what can easily be mistaken for yam hills. Developed nation status by 2020. Really?

[Gamma]

what would be most sustainable would be for track clubs to be associated with schools the way they currently are to the colleges.

MVP/UTECH, UWI/RACERS, MICO is associated with one and GC Foster has its own.

it would not be a part of the curriculum but wou'd be there for elite training. the details can be worked out but i could see that working

[Sir X]

Like MVP- Wolmers ? most of these youths know where they are going before their champs days are over.

[Jangle]

Or AKAN at Calabar. UWI got a nice track because Bolt trained there. In the US all elementary schools have a proper field and a proper gym with a full basketball court. Kindergartens have a proper play area outdoor. Our Jamaican schools need the help wherever they can get it.

[Sir X]

I dont understand the fuss,we are a track and field power house,not because of hill ,gully and yam or some other idiotic theory about running from gunshots ,but for champs,the high school system !!! expecting schools not to use it by marketing themselves or procuring benefits that go back into the system , be it T& F and of course education is hypocritical and assanine.Given our economic predicament and even the most powerful nation in the world has recognized the relationship between atlethic talent semiprofessional sport and financial gain in procuring benefits for their college institutions.

As I stated before it will not be a perfect system but it isnt going anywhere and from my projection will grow,the only question is how to find the right balance.