The Editor, Sir:

Dr Ralph Thompson's article (Sunday, July 5) raises good points but is diminished by the tangent that leads readers to believe that it was about reforming the early childhood system but goes off on a tirade of vengeance against teachers at other than the early childhood stage. Recommendations four, seven, eight and 12 are troubling!

Teachers are already licensed so please clarify. I became a teacher in 1986 and had to be licensed by the Ministry of Education. Like all other teachers, I was licensed (in 1986). As far as I know, even pre-trained teachers are licensed (as pre-trained).

What is the purpose of raising entry requirements to five CXCs? The current entry requirement of three CXCs/GCEs is the equivalent of that all over the world. That said, if you raise the entry requirements for Jamaicans and Jamaican institutions then an equivalent requirement must be placed on other graduates including those from the great institutions abroad including noble institutions such as Yale, Princeton and Harvard. Is this intended to disqualify Jamaicans so that foreigners can come as in olden days? The article advocates hiring foreigners and making it easier for them while making it harder for Jamaicans.

The same response given in relation to recommendation number four can be given to number eight.

Anyone who believes giving principals power to hire and fire will solve the many problems ought to have their heads examined. Dr Thompson, it was because of the myriad of problems when principals had 'executive' powers why the act is as it is, and what gives teachers some dignity as members of a profession. You make it sound as though principals cannot subject teachers to disciplinary measures right now. That is false and misleading and you must never mislead the nation!

In essence, what this crazy recommendation (No. 12) says is, make it so a principal can do anything to a teacher and so long as the principal does not fire the teacher, that teacher should not be able to do anything about it. Does that include rape, sexual harassment, cleaning the cottage, wiping the principal's boot, assaulting the teacher and subjecting the teacher to indignities so long as there is no dismissal? Dr Thompson have you gone mad? Do you know how nasty some bosses are and how nasty some principals are? Teachers would become no more than bar maids and teaching no longer a profession. Would Dr Thompson recommend judges be treated similarly? I think not.

GSAT is unfair

I, too, believe the GSAT is unfair but not in the sense others do. It is unfair because it denies students the benefits of academic foundation by treating all of them like products of a production factory and not individuals with different needs that must be respected, appreciated and harnessed. Until someone comes up with an idea that is better, truly better, I remain a firm proponent of the Common Entrance Examination (CEE - as laid out in the 1980 Education Act). Not once was CEE handled as it should. The CEE gives every child three chances to measure up and do well enough for a good placement. Ask any teacher how students come into their own after their first attempt. Had the CEE been administered as it should we would not have the problems then or now. Incidentally, the GSAT is a common entrance exam.

The JTA is doing teachers and the nation a disservice by being silent in the midst of these attacks on teachers, but then, do these JTA officers really know anything?

I am, etc.,

RHONA ALLEN

allenmim@hotmail.com

Calgary, Alberta

Canada