EDITORIAL – No guarantee this one size fitting all?

LITTLE JEROME MARTIN said that although it had been his goal to attend the St Michael School, he was nonetheless excited to be going to Alexandra.Cynthia, the mother of this contented 11-Plus pupil, declared she had prayed to God on examination day, asking Him to let Jerome do his best, and she was happy with the results. A thankful student and parent on orientation day at the St Peter school!It was informative that Ms Martin did not make supplications for a miracle. Some parents are not unknown to expect their charges to do exceptionally well – by divine intervention – when they have not been prepared for the task ahead.We do not deny that there are cases where pupils were coached well for an exam and yet failed it – through anxiety, the mental block, and like pressures. We think, however, that parents must be realistic about the expectations of their young ones, encouraging them to build on their own positive strengths.It’s points like these the principals of all the secondary schools carrying out their orientation programmes will make to the parents and their young. These are important truths to be made. Empty platitudes will not cut it.We need to move away from the brigade of mouthers who speak on anything and everything – which is really another way of saying nothing.Principals, teachers and parents must provide guidance and display gumption. They must let our young students know that it is not all over with success at the 11-Plus. Our charges need to know that the work is but just begun. Our youth are owed it.There are the CXCs to come; the Community College; the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic; the University of the West Indies. Learning and education are continuing.We cannot emphasise enough the responsibility of telling our young the truth. They want it and they deserve it.One truth is that not all children have the same capacity. Some will be Einsteins; some will count well on the fingers and with the calculator; and a myriad of others will be somewhere in between.Somehow we have to fashion a system that caters for all – regardless of the school or circumstance – where programmes are developed for the late finisher as for the rapid developer. The one-size-fitting-all curriculum is about to burst at the seams.Einstein or not, every single child product should be able to read well, comprehend practically, write legibly; and not be subject to being robbed for lack of counting skills. These are at the very foundation of knowledge.Without a good grasp of them, our youth will surely founder. And what hope then of the future?