by Rick Lowe (http://www.weblogbahamas.com)
It's delightful to read all the talk about our educational woes and I applaud Mr. Carl Bethel, Minister of Education for at least openly discussing the dismal exam results of our children. That's a giant first step for a politician in my not so humble opinion, and just might start paving the way for the education department and teachers to realise their responsibility in this process.
Back in 1999, I was taken to task for advocating vouchers and privatisation of our school system by statists and teachers alike, who, in spite of the evidence of decades before them, they continue to believe that the government can move the educational system in the right direction.
The same applies to someone calling himself "Simon" who recently wrote in his column in The Nassau Guardian that:
"...too many parents shun their basic obligations to review homework, turn off the television and fill their homes with books rather than digital games, resulting in lacklustre graduation rates and scores of school-leavers who are basically illiterate and innumerate."
This is a cop out. We know this has been the case for twenty five years or more now, as a result of our single parent homes, and the educational system has not adapted. A sad commentary for the body responsible for providing education for the vast majority of Bahamian children. I'm no behavioural scientist, but maybe if a generation or two get the education they deserve they might be better at parenting?
"Simon" goes on to say:
"Meanwhile, those bedazzled by the type of school vouchers debated in the U.S. may wish to draw their star-spangled gaze home, recognizing how their fervent desires, sustained by successive governments, are closer than imagined."
"Grant-in-aid is our tax dollars subsidizing our children’s education in non-state schools, a practice prohibited in the U.S. school system. Another name for grant-in-aid: vouchers!"
I must admit to being bedazzled by the prospect of vouchers, because the status quo is dealing our children a lousy hand. But to suggest that grant-in-aid is a voucher programme is simply misleading.
I am not aware of current numbers, but if my failing memory serves me well, several years back, private schools received something like $250,000 each per annum from the Government in grant-in-aid. This is hardly a voucher system.
As I'm sure "Simon" knows, a voucher system, in simple terms, is where the government determines the cost per student in the state system, and gives parents a cheque payable to the school of their choice so their children might receive a better education if their neighbourhood school is failing them.
This might mean that parents who choose to accept the voucher will have to pay a little more out of pocket to send their child to a private school, because they know that success comes from sacrifice.
"Simon", confirming his statist views, also points to the "needs of smaller island communities in our far-flung archipelago", as if local leadership in our family islands are incapable of ensuring children receive a sound education. It happened before government took the educational system over, and it can happen again.
If the private sector were providing educational services like the state run system, people would be screaming from the roof tops about the need to pass a law to ensure the private system is made accountable. So why do we not hear the same cry from "Simon" and his comrades in the case of our government run schools?
Keep the information coming Mr. Bethel, the first step to improvement is admitting you have a problem. Besides, I think you know that future generations of Bahamians deserve better.
