Dear Editor,

I read last Tuesday’s Observer editorial, “Dealing with illiteracy”, with more annoyance than interest. I was so peeved because I’m sure if I should search the archives of Jamaica’s leading newspapers, I would find similar editorials with several different dates. This recurring script on “Dealing with Illiteracy” makes me ask, are Jamaican politicians and education policymakers 100 per cent sold on getting as close as possible to eradicating illiteracy?

Just about a year ago, I read an interesting article by Don Robotham in the Sunday Gleaner. He spoke emphatically about a literacy intervention developed and employed(in Arnett Gardens by Joan Spencer-Ernandez of the University of the West Indies. He described this intervention as having “unique features which were extremely effective” and stated that the programme “not only had close to 100 per cent success, but also resulted in the boys outperforming the girls at high school.”

How did Mr Robotham learn about Mrs Spencer-Ernandez’s intervention? Do you think the Ministry of Education is unaware of her successful programme? Might I suggest that they are very much aware? They are also aware of the strategies that have been working at St Richard’s, Jessie Ripoll, Excelsior, Windward Road, and all the other successful primary schools. So why haven’t the politicians and policymakers sought to implement these tried, tested and proven strategies? Is it because they fear the strategies might just work?

Getting Jamaica literate would mean more questions of accountability for politicians. They would be no more kings and queens because we would now be able to read and understand for ourselves. We could now demand quality secondary school education for all, because we would all ace the Grade Six Achievement Test. We would no longer be available to run behind them chanting their names at by-elections held in the middle of a work day because we would all be gainfully employed locally or regionally.

But just in case I am being unfair to our noble politicians and policymakers, I will make further recommendations. I believe that criticising and tearing down without making suggestions is futile. I must hasten to add, though, that I am very much aware that the recommendations I will make may not be novel suggestions. This brings me back to the very place I started: what happens to good recommendations when they get into the hands of politicians and education policymakers?

Tennisha A Morris

literacyadvocate@gmail.com