Dear Editor,

I was born in a time, the 1970s, when elitist education was the order of the day. Currently, both globally and locally, there is a move to increase access to education. For this to materialise there will definitely be a compromise on quality, happening in most Western educational institution.

Jamaica, and most of the Caribbean, cannot afford to lose at least about 25 per cent of our youth population, because they never got a tertiary education in a modern world that will require advanced training beyond high school.

The modern student has mainly weak academic background, few supportive parents, and is more aggressive and outspoken. The solution is more remedial work for students’ deficiencies and more conflict resolution training for teachers and other faculty members. This is a start, but as you implement you improve.

There are many other changes needed, such as teaching with technology, but let us do something, instead of continuing with the status quo and wondering why there are 381 gangs in Jamaica.

Do something different!

As an educator, I read voraciously, which gives me insight, but reality is harder than theory. Most educators believe that strict discipline is essential for academic success, and it’s true, but that locks out the majority. We can no longer build a world with a tiny ruling elite, then use the police force to suppress the unsuccessful aspirant who turns to crime when statistically the results were predictable. Madness!

Brian E Plummer

brianplummer@yahoo.com