The Editor, Sir:

The education minister, presumably like the rest of us, shares a deep concern for the state of education and understandably has identified the primary level as a focal point of failure and, hopefully, improvement.

In response, as expected, the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) has offered, in defence of the principals, the level of poverty in the society and from whence most of their charges come, invariably putting them at a learning disadvantage.

While this may be regarded as only a knee-jerk response by the JTA, and it might very well be, should we not for a moment consider the validity of this poverty issue in order to make an honest and meaningful analysis of this concern?

The shortfall in revenue eventually has an impact on the Government's capacity to meet some of its obligations. For example, how often have we heard when there is a breakdown of certain government services that there is a chronic shortage of resources? Is the ministry concerned not referring to its economic limitations? That is poverty of the Government.

Often underfunded

The primary schools themselves are often underfunded, resulting in dilapidated classrooms, non-functional sanitary conveniences, etc., which in turn affect the morale of the teaching and ancillary staffs, which in turn must affect the administration of teaching and therefore, the degree of learning by the students. That is poverty of the schools as a result of the poverty of the country.

Then there are the children who attend the schools, sometimes irregularly and with little or nothing of nutritional value to sustain them and enable them to absorb what a deprived institution has to offer. The wonder is that some of them still excel, not because, but in spite of the conditions in the schools. That is poverty in the homes.

Then there are the communities to which these homes belong where the values which should guide us as a society and which many of us still hold dear are rapidly breaking down. Education, good manners, respect for self and others are seen as the baggage of poverty as there are more lucrative means of livelihood as demonstrated by individuals in these communities who scoff at these values. This in turn creates new role models for the youth who resolve to be what they see in the community and may even be resistant to what is being imparted in the schools.

That is poverty of the community.

Before "slamming" the primary school principals, should it not be that while we must endeavour to adjust the primary school system we be aware of the overall poverty of values and resources in our country?

It seems to me that this would enable a more meaningful approach to many of the ills in our society.

I am, etc.,

TREVOR BAILEY

talex_b@yahoo.com

East Oakridge

Kingston 8