MONTEGO BAY, St James —Key education stakeholders have questioned the wisdom of establishing a committee dedicated to improving the academic performance of the country’s male students who have a history of being outperformed by our girls. Concerns have ranged from the need to focus on larger, systemic problems within the educational system to disquiet about the focus on gender.

“The real question is whether Government should organise educational policy around gender rather than educational need. I do not believe that is the right starting point,” argued principal of Belmont Academy in Westmoreland, Rayon Simpson.

The proposed committee, announced by Education Minister Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon during Monday’s Primary Exit Profile results press conference, comes after figures revealed that girls outperformed boys in both core subject areas. In language arts, 80.2 per cent of girls attained proficiency, compared to 63.5 per cent of boys; while mathematics saw 73.2 per cent of girls reaching proficiency versus 64.9 per cent of boys.

Senator Dixon said the committee, to be led by Parliamentary Secretary Senator Marlon Morgan, will examine practical interventions that can be replicated across schools so as to narrow the gap.

MORRIS DIXON… announced the Boys’ Committee during Monday’s Primary Exit Profile results press conference.

However Simpson holds a different view of what the problem is, and the solution required.

“Jamaica’s greatest educational challenge is not a crisis of boys or a crisis of girls; it is a crisis of learning. What Jamaica urgently needs is not a gender-based response but a national, evidence-based programme of learning recovery. We should be mobilising every available resource to help every child recover the knowledge, skills, and opportunities lost over the past several years,” he insisted.

Simpson argued that setbacks caused by COVID-19, dengue outbreaks, hurricanes, and teacher shortages have compounded learning loss, requiring what he described as a nationwide recovery strategy instead of a gender-specific intervention.

For president of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association, Mark Malabver, while the initiative may have merit he believes clarity is needed on its scope and composition.

MALABVER… I’m not so sure a committee is necessary.

“I’m not so sure a committee is necessary… I certainly would love to hear more about this committee, and what would be the terms of reference of this committee, and who will make up the committee,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

The JTA president pointed out that the challenges affecting boys stretch beyond classroom delivery, and warned against limiting the conversation to instructional methods.

Malabver also highlighted the lack of adequate teaching tools and support, noting that even proven methods such as specialised instruction often fall short because of resource constraints.

Opposition spokesman on education Damion Crawford, who also agreed that the performance gap among boys is undeniable, however expressed doubt that the creation of a committee would bring the urgent response needed.

SIMPSON… Jamaica’s greatest educational challenge is not a crisis of boys or a crisis of girls.

“I’m not sure if another committee, or another whatever the minister have named, is sufficient but there is a need for immediate and emergency action,” Crawford told the Observer, stressing that excessive deliberation could delay tangible solutions.

However committee lead Morgan, who said improving outcomes for boys requires a sustained national push involving Government, schools, parents, teachers, and communities, implored critics to move beyond cynicism and actively support boys as positive role models. He noted that while change will not happen overnight, the ministry’s initiatives will raise awareness, improve teaching approaches, and help challenge harmful stereotypes about boys’ learning and emotional expression.

“I urge those who hold pessimistic views about the intervention to appreciate the importance of having commenced a national effort which will require all hands on deck,” Morgan told the Observer.

“There is considerable scientific and anecdotal evidence pointing to the desired outcomes that are within reach if we endeavour to do things differently,” he added.