IN their effort to provide the best possible education to their students, several Jamaican preparatory schools have adopted the Abeka curriculum, a Christian-based way of teaching that was developed in the United States (US) and which adherents say produces impressive results.

HEWAN-BROWN... people are getting back to the view the order of the universe dictates that there is a designer behind the design, and we teach that designer is God (Photo: Bryan Cummings)

At least 15 schools on the island have officially adopted the curriculum, which is particularly strong on the teaching of phonics, and is said to develop competent readers from as early as age four.

"Eighty-five per cent of the words we use are phonetically based. Not all children learn through phonics, but most will. It would solve a lot of problems of children reaching high school being unable to read," said Marvia Wilson, principal of Covenant Christian Academy and Children's Centre in St Andrew.

Covenant, founded 20 years ago by Reverend Dr Peter Morgan and his wife Patricia, formally introduced Abeka to schools in Jamaica. The institution boasts former international Spelling Bee champion Jody- Ann Maxwell and multiple scholarship winner Daniel Thomas, both formerly of Ardenne High, as students who received their foundation at Covenant.

Developed by Pensacola Christian College (PCC), an unaccredited fundamentalist, independent Baptist College in Florida, the Abeka curriculum was founded in 1974 by Arlin Horton.

Sheea Hewan-Brown, principal of Grace Christian Academy in Kingston, said the advantage of Abeka lies in its teaching by concept. In Abeka, she said, there are clear rules for spelling and sounds of words, phonics, capitalisation, and the writing of sentences. So for example, students learn the difference in the sound of words bear, beer and bare.

"The children learn how the rules are applied, so they know why something is right or wrong. If a child understands the concept they know how to apply it," she said.

This method differs from that in a traditional school setting, Hewan-Brown said, where a child may be given a large number of questions for practice.

"If you don't understand the concept, it doesn't mean that the more you do it, the better you will get at it," she said.

The colourful and engaging Abeka source materials, teaching manuals and curriculum guides make the system attractive for people starting private schools or home-schooling their children.

"The traditional education system is centred around a good teacher, so if the teacher goes, the school has a problem. Good schools are people-dependent, but great schools are system-dependent, so it doesn't matter who is using the system, as long as you don't vary from the standard the results will be the same" Hewan-Brown told Career & Education. "The Abeka curriculum is based on the principle that God is the author of all wisdom, and that God is a God of order. God wants us to become our best selves, so there are certain rules we must obey. In Math, if we don't have our numbers in the right order or know which principle to apply, you will end up with the wrong answer," Wilson said.
However, Abeka is not without its critics, as some educators and policy makers in the United States say some of its teachings in science and history contradict accepted scientific findings, and promote religious intolerance.

A Beka Book, the publisher of books and materials used in the curriculum, has been criticised by the University of California and the national Centre for Science Education for publishing information contrary to accepted historical and scientific consensus, especially regarding the theory of evolution. However, A Beka Book portrays Biblical creation theory as a theory of origins that does not contradict science.

One US researcher, Frances Patterson said materials from fundamentalist Christian publishers, including A Beka Book, suggest that the lack of material progress in various Third World countries and among indigenous peoples can be attributed to their religious beliefs. In one textbook's discussion of India, for example, it is asserted that the practice of not eating meat and allowing animals to roam in public places leads to poor nutrition and disease.

But Wilson said the criticisms do not apply to Jamaica, as the controversial sections of Abeka are not used here. She said Abeka's Christian teachings receive the blessing of parents of every religious persuasion.

"In this school we have Jehovah's witnesses, people who don't believe in God, even Rastafarians," she said. "Parents who are not necessarily 'churched' are blown away by the children praying; you should hear some of these three-year-olds pray."
Hewan-Brown said the Abeka curriculum has worked well at her school which now has 70 students.

"We make no apologies for using the Bible as the basis for teaching not only character, but everything else," she said.
Hewan-Brown also claims recent research shows more scientists are viewing evolution as a theory that cannot be substantiated.

"The bastion of evolution is falling apart. People are getting back to the view the order of the universe dictates that there is a designer behind the design, and we teach that designer is God," she said.

Hewan-Brown added that Abeka schools have been established for elite people, including government officials in the Middle East, not because of its religious content, but because of the discipline and character values it teaches.

Of interest is the fact that Covenant has more boys than girls in its population of 440 students. This is a source of great pride for Wilson who has vast experience in teaching boys, having taught for 15 years at St George's College, a high school with males only up to fifth form.

The principal said boys can be raised as Christians without being effeminate or overly macho either. "We try to get the balance right in God's eyes," she said.

In addition to the Corporate Area, Abeka schools have been established in Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and St Thomas. Praise Tabernacle, Emanuel Christian Academy, Liberty Academy at the Priory, Porter Centre of Knowledge also use the system.

Efforts to get a response from the Ministry of Education about the appropriateness of the Abeka curriculum to Jamaica were unsuccessful.

Based on the support from parents at these schools, the use of the Abeka curriculum will continue to grow, especially among devout Christians.

"We have not proven God to be a liar. If something is inconsistent with what God is saying, we are prepared to throw it out," said Wilson.

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