Jamaica All Island Secondary School Rankings

[Willi]

Explain to me then how StGC is in a virtual dead heat with Wolmers for top spot in that like 15/15 when they have won the last 4 out of 6 Manning Cups?

What does Morning Cup have to do with anything? I could possibly start to buy into Champs, as a winning Champs team is like 150 athletes, but Manning Cup is a fringe occupation for soccer elites in a school of 1,000 students.

StGC had and has its share of academic problems, but thankfully TPTB are working on it and we see commendable improvement. However, I agree with Don1, we need more. We need to move into Century 21.

[Jawge]

Willi do better, you have seen or heard how one man or woman has influenced many throughout the ages. Imagine what a star athlete could do to couple thousand teen age boys. I seriously can't believe I'm having this conversation with you.

[Jawge]

I guess the structure is warped for Bronx sci. in NYC. The same way schools climbing over each other to facilitate soccer players it's the same campion and others are climbing over each other to get the brightest. I don't really see anything wrong with that. Education is now national security for countries that desire success in the info age; hence there is nothing wrong in gathering and nurturing the brightest (ask Singapore and S.Korea about this).

Blame, blame: at one point it was the cry that there aren't enough high schools, hence those that fail really pass but because there aren't enough seats they have to go to secondary schools. Now that there is high schools at every turn the blame is being passed back to primary schools. Yes Joshua tried to give Ja a comprehensive education program but you and others were not ready for this. You are now smack in the middle of the info age ; where math, science language matters (education in short) for a nation's survival and all you can do is point fingers.

I don't need to do missionary work in Ja's education system, in order to speak on the issue (please note that this angle is called the fallacy of "poisoning the well"). I will speak freely on eduction until I feel to stop. At this point in time I won't come to Ja. to aid schools seeing that I have two five year old boys who need a lot of my time. I'm sure there are many capable Jakans are in the diaspora and on the "rock" ready to fill that void.

Yes speak I will though.

[Peter R]

To get a clearer picture of those statistics it would be instructive if the absolute numbers of those who wrote were also included. Consider this, suppose school X had only one student write who failed, then they would have 0%. If school Y had ten students write and they all failed you have the same 0%. Suppose that each of these schools had one additional student write who passed, all of a sudden school X becomes 50% and school Y moves to a paltry 9%.

It's not so much a "skewing" of results but getting a clearer picture of what the percentages relate to. That's my view anyway.

[Time]

Explain to me then how StGC is in a virtual dead heat with Wolmers for top spot in that like 15/15 when they have won the last 4 out of 6 Manning Cups?

What does Morning Cup have to do with anything? I could possibly start to buy into Champs, as a winning Champs team is like 150 athletes, but Manning Cup is a fringe occupation for soccer elites in a school of 1,000 students.

StGC had and has its share of academic problems, but thankfully TPTB are working on it and we see commendable improvement. However, I agree with Don1, we need more. We need to move into Century 21.

I expect the Wolmer's United and St Georges FC recruitment strategies to lower the final academic scores of each school but not as much as the track teams. Lets give the Manning Cup stars a break right across the board (all schools) and focus on the rest of the school population. What is preventing them from a high level of achievement?

[Don1]

Jawge;492246]I guess the structure is warped for Bronx sci. in NYC. The same way schools climbing over each other to [FONT=&quot]facilitate soccer players it's the same campion and others are climbing over each other to get the brightest. I don't really see anything wrong with that. Education is now national security for countries that desire success in the info age; hence there is nothing wrong in gathering and nurturing the brightest (ask Singapore and S.Korea about this).

It's strange that you can't understand the simple idea that the real discussion has nothing to do with so called top schools and kids climbing over each other to enrol.
The issue is the abysmal education standards overall and how to better the outcomes

Blame, blame: at one point it was the cry that there aren't enough high schools, hence those that fail really pass but because there aren't enough seats they have to go to secondary schools. Now that there is high schools at every turn the blame is being passed back to primary schools. Yes Joshua tried to give Ja a comprehensive education program but you and others were not ready for this.

LOL!! wooiiee mi Household!

You are now smack in the middle of the info age ; where math, science language matters (education in short) for a nation's survival and all you can do is point fingers.

Actually no.
All we can do is create the most advanced high school STEM program in the Caribbean. Currently ~100 kids in one location Mon-Fri-- Sept thru April
On track to increase the number to 300 within 12 months

I don't need to do missionary work in Ja's education system, in order to speak on the issue (please note that this angle is called the fallacy of "poisoning the well"). I will speak freely on eduction until I feel to stop. At this point in time I won't come to Ja. to aid schools seeing that I have two five year old boys who need a lot of my time. I'm sure there are many capable Jakans are in the diaspora and on the "rock" ready to fill that void.

Yes speak I will though.

Typical cop out... just means you're part of the problem

[Peter R]

Good question: part of the problem, IMO, is that we've created a cycle of ignorance. I just posted a link to an article on the Finnish education system; among their requirements to become a teacher is that you have a master's degree, in other words the teachers are highly educated and trained.

In case you missed it here it is: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/innova...e=es_ES&page=1


Janet* (*not a real person) is a very personable young woman who is a teacher and graduate of UWI (English) and she is now an English teacher. While her English is very good, IMO, it s not good enough to reflect what a quality English teacher's level of command of the language should be. Please note that I'm not referring to being able to express herself orally or in writing, but rather understanding the nuances of language and even standard English pronunciation of certain words (e.g. denominational, cacophony, demonstrative etc.) The good thing is she is a willing learner and takes advice. That is she. (since we talking English, she not her). I believe that she would make a brilliant teacher working with younger students rather than older ones when the rigours of academia become more challenging. As her skills improve the she could look to teach older grades if she is so inclined. BUT, she is a UWI graduate! and I find it mind-boggling that they "let her out" with obvious holes in her overall grasp of English...this is someone with a bachelor's degree.

Anyway, I suggest that our educators are not up to mark. What has happened is that we have created a vicious cycle of ignorance and so many of the educators are barely more knowledgeable than those whom are put in their charge.

Just one part of the problem, IMO.

BTW Janet is based on a real person!

[Karl]

Karl notice that the school for girls is doing way better than those for boys. Could it be that the girls don't have to contend with sports (such as Dcup & Man.cup) hence they are able to focus on academics.

No!
First: Let us recognize that the girls school are damn poor academically. ...in other words some perform less poorly than some of the boys schools but they are both types girls and boys and indeed the co-ed schools all perform poorly.

It's no secret that schools "buy" players to win soccer games. These individuals aren't prepared most of the times for academic work; therefore they become disruptive in the classsroom. I could go on to bet that a number of these players that are being brought into the schools to play soccer need special education.

This extremely small sector of the schools' population is a 'beating stick' and crutch that those who are knowledgeable on and about the poor performances emanating from 'our schools' use to distract.

Think on it:what %age of the school population is this 'brought players cohort"? I do not have the answer but I would wager a guess that it is less than 1/10 of 1%?

Last note: Studies have shown that boys are more emotionally fragile than girls. Now given the enironment in Ja (gangs, peer and social pressure, bullying et al) mixed with the fact that your school is aping a sports academy, the results aren't surprising at all.

Frankly properly run schools, providing first rate service to their populations would show results far superior to the current 'failing grades'...and that would be in all areas of discipline offered.

Running sports academies - e.g. KC's and C'bar's Track & Field programs...and in bygone days - the Ben Francis days - Vere's football, cricket and track & field programs - should provide example to the administrators and teachers that on cross-fertilization of concepts that would enhance the provision of improved delivery of services in academic areas.

Think on it: The attention to detailed preparation - raising of funds to provide support services, quality of teachers in each athletic discipline and continuing education, etc., etc. should open the eyes and minds of those providing 'nurturing' and development of our students=our talented youngsters.

To be blunt, it is nonsense to even attempt to pass off as cause for our poor results - academic and sports development - to the 'buying of players'. Suggesting same puts those academics in the know of "making asses of self" to defend their poor work. btw- Same tactic used by the Police Chief in Ferguson - making ass of self to protect his police force and specifically his officer who acted in an inappropriate manner - gunning down a citizen when there was absolutely no reason so to do. ...and these people know exactly what they are doing as they seek to protect seemingly own self-interest.

[Time]

How does a large student body skew results?

Good question. The pass rate (5 or more subjects) for large schools are more difficult to change but that is true mathematically for both positive and negative changes.

I will give him a break because the reality is that positive changes require teaching resources but negative changes can be achieved by doing nothing.

[Karl]

Well said Missa Jawge! Well said sar!

If Einstein were born in Jamaica, he would not have achieved what he did academically and scientifically. He didn't start out as any genius and struggled academically at an early age. I wonder how many Einsteins we have allowed to fall through the cracks?

I think it is not the students which are failing, but the education system failing the students. I am sorry if the teachers on the site take offense, bit my comment is not directed at you either.

As long as you have the few schools who take off the top performing students from Common Entrance (GSAT) and coral them in an atmosphere where they can pass some subjects to move to the next level, everything is OK. The system needs to be revamped where it looks out for the education of the masses, not just the few.

Yes...to Jawge's to which you responded and YES to your well stated response. You are correct! Now many have been saying the same thing for many, many years - think of (from as far back as) NW Manley & NW Manley's era - so why has nothing been done about improving Early Childhood Education to ensure all our kids - 'well off' and 'not so well off' and those not as well off as the 'not as well off'...all our kids - have access to TOP OF THE WORLD quality teaching? ...throughout the entire system?

What really needs to be done?
...as in our football, we need good teachers! Our education system must be 'laden' with TOP OF THE WORLD teachers at each adn every level!!! If the teachers are TOP OF THE WORLD the results will move rapidly forward to TOP OF THE WORLD!!!! TALENT ABOUNDS!!!!

[Willi]

When we won in 1992 the headboy was a reservist on the Manning team. He went on to become a Rhode Scholar...cause that is how Betris rolls.

He used him as a shining example and yes, Bertis looks to sec=ure scholarships for all he can on his sides over the years.

When some fall thru the cracks, it is not for a lack of trying by MANY people.

[Willi]

St Georges is way more that that. Watch out, our scores are climbing each year recently, especially in the Sciences, and its no coincidence.

[Mosiah]

And I agree, because skewing could result in a picture that is either fair or unfair.

[Jawge]

Karl did you look at the list? If not please do, then return to discuss with me how the proportion of girls doing well against that of the boys. Thanks.

[Karl]

Interesting post, TDowl

Hot topic!