CSEC performance in English A, Mathematics raises concerns

Chief Education Officer, Steve Hyacinth, is expressing concern that Dominica’s performance in English Language (English A) in the 2012 CSEC Examination has declined and there is continued poor performance in Mathematics.

Statistics released by the Ministry of Education revealed that performance in English Language dropped to 55.3 percent from 79.8 percent in 2011. It also showed that perfomance in Mathematics among Dominican students is below regional rates.

“Dominica’s performance in English A represents an 8.3 percent pass above the region’s overall performance of 47 percent this year compared with 67 percent last year. Mathematics continues to be a challenge. This year 27.9 percent of entries achieved acceptable grades compared with 37.9 percent in 2011,” Hyacinth said.

Minister of Education, Petter Saint Jean, is also highlighting the issue. “CSEC results show consistent poor performance in Mathematics. Student’s scores point to the need to address with greater urgency the problems associated with teaching/learning of numeracy in the education system,” he pointed out.

Saint Jean said his ministry is already taking steps to tackle the issue. “The ministry has gone further to tackle the problem at its very root with a Primary Education Numeracy Pilot Consultancy. It is expected that the intervention will improve student’s achievements in Mathematics in primary education and reverse the current poor attainment levels,” the Minister said.

The results of the 2012 CSEC Examinations were released on Wednesday. Covent High School topped the list in performance with an overall 94.8 percent followed by the Seventh Day Adventist Secondary school at 89 percent and St. Mary’s Academy at 80.3 percent.

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63 Comments

  1. aa
    August 18, 2012

    Education should start at home from early; maths, reading writing, science,parents needs to spend more time with their children,there should be more afternoon and extra classes, ENGLISH is our official language, why is the engish scores so low,one cannot survive in this world without maths, english and science. Too much TV, AND WEEKEND parties in Dominica,for the young people, cell phones should not be in the classes,some of the teachers are not well qualified, let us get trained teachers , show your certification, some of them are just waiting to leave the country, we need dedicated workers.

    • Anonymous
      August 19, 2012

      persons such as yourself is just the root of the problem. i mean look at your english…POOR!!! “why IS our english SCORES…” LIKE REALLY?…SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT… not to mention run-on sentences like you’re in the olympics 100m. just SAD…

  2. Tiara
    August 18, 2012

    I think the M.O.E. needs to review the U.S.E. policy document, there are excellent plans in there and if followed we would see better results in our exams. The training aspect for the teachers that would be very critical in ensuring that our students benefit and do better. The document does have some good plans and it is just on the shelf. We have alot of qualified people in the Ministry but I wonder how much of that is passed on to the schools. Even the recruitment of teachers to teach particular subjects, some people are not cut for teaching. It does not mean that because a young man/woman does well at CXC that he/she can teach, most times they take the job because they want to save some money to go to University and during that time we have a number of students suffering at the expense of that teacher. Some people are just born teachers and some just can’t be teachers. The same thing happens at the primary level. Training is an ongoing process, the ministry has to keep on training the teachers, we have the qualified people in the Ministry who can develop training modules for teachers for both primary and secondary. Put the right people in the right positions and get the job done, of course the salary is very important too. A university graduate should be allowed to teach at a Primary school with a good pay too. We need to take stock of the unproductive expenses that we have within the public sector and get some of that money into the education sector. While the students and parents have their role but if they do not have the foundation what do you expect to get out of them. That’s my take on the situation. REVIEW THE USE DOCUMENT.

  3. sam paul
    August 18, 2012

    such an important subject yet the students fail to achieve a mere passing grade. 33 or so perecnet passed maths from the entire math student population? that’s unbelievable!!!! Even LESS than last year. I know the prime minister and all the other ministers mean well and want good for the citizens especially the youth, but USE doesnt seem to be working. the idea is good but the outcome is bad. But it is just math, which may mean that the teachers of this subject are not competent to teach or the students are not motivated to learn. so what is the problem? maths is everywhere, in us and all around us , it’s imperative that all secondary students and beyond have a sound knowlege and understanding of the subject.

  4. observant
    August 17, 2012

    A lot of the maths don’t make sense to me period. A whole lot of formulas which to me are not relevant. Ckean up the syllabus CXC.

    • budman
      August 20, 2012

      apparently English isn’t your cup of tea either.

  5. GOM AGAIN
    August 17, 2012

    GOM AGAIN: Mr Hyacinth i suggest that during one of your principals meeting, you all make a concerted effort to address the amount of “junk food” that is being sold to our children as break. I can already see that if the trend continues, we will be in serious health problems in this country… Some will argue that we are already in trouble. Ripe bananas,natural juices and fruits,and others wholesome meals should take the place of the foods loaded with all kinds of poisonous preservatives Sirs.
    The learning of Maths and English and a healthy diet should go hand in hand.

  6. YES I
    August 17, 2012

    Mr Hyacinth/Mr StJean: Sirs…. Is it true that students will be able to use their cellular phones in the classroom come September? Will that include the Government run Secondary Schools with the uncontrollable young men? If the answer is yes, i am just hoping that teachers will stay away from the danger which i foresee.A system which is polluted from the top is polluted indeed!

  7. '''''''''''
    August 17, 2012

    The problems in the education system in dominica are many. Some Principals talk a lot but can hardly deliver anything.You will hardly see them outside during the school day, since they are locked in their offices.A few hardly know their staffs strengths and weaknesses. But at principals meetings they have a loud voice.
    On the teachers side,the recruitment process is flawed.Teachers who are drug users (in my view)should not be recruited to teach the very students we are asking to stay away from drugs.It sends mixed and confusing messages to the children.Too many teachers stay away from work, on false excuses and later confess to their friends that they were not sick but just stayed away.It places too much pressure on the genuine ones.
    Maths and English should be carefully scrutinized at the primary level. That’s where the foundation is built,not at the secondary level.
    There are some teachers who work like donkeys and horses, while others are having a joy ride.It’s a shame really.

  8. Awa
    August 17, 2012

    There is a similar concern about this in Jamaica. Authorities there are asking CXC to give a statement.

  9. Free Thinker
    August 17, 2012

    U.S.E is killing our education here, these students are the products of the U.S.E. Put this program aside for a while and let us take stock before going further downhill.
    Another thing let the subject teachers recommend students to write the exams so we would be less embarrassed later.
    I heard that in the government schools students had to pass any FOUR subjects to graduate…….what a shame …….and the education officials are crying now?……they need to get off their high and comfortable offices and do justice to the education system in Dominica.

    • Cowboy
      August 16, 2013

      it is short sighted to abandon USE for better grades in the short run. The country is much better off having everyone at a higher level of education than a few people with better CXC scores. Ask yourself what the point of eduction is.

  10. Coco DiFiolo
    August 16, 2012

    The problem is not the U.S.E.nor is it entirely to be blamed on the teachers and parents.Parents should really take the majority of the blame.Lets face it many parents don’t even take the time to go through their children’s books nor do they insist on their children doing their homework.Do you agree with me when i say the tv has replaced many parents? Have you ever heard the term parental responsibility? Now, when are we going to start getting rid of teachers who don’t teach? When are we going to get rid of district education officers who fail to properly supervise their districts? What about the people who drag their feet thus hindering the implementation of programs introduced by government?However before we attempt to blame everyone else, let us as parents talk command and control of whats going on in our homes,neighbourhoods and communities.

    • Coco DiFiolo
      August 16, 2012

      Please excuse my error. The last line should read ‘take control’ not talk control.

  11. him
    August 16, 2012

    Mr Hyacinth/St Jean. while some teachers work extremely hard, are you all aware of the number of times some teachers are absenting themselves from the classroom for a term? At least twice each week,and they usually give the reasons why they were absent. Nothing to do with illness.The fence is low so some teachers are jumping over it easily.Maths and English teachers included.

  12. iriegirl
    August 16, 2012

    well, well,well.Parents of the north should be particularlly concerned about the situation at pss.It is time to address the continued poor performance because of the low moral in the school by both teachers and students.Too much favouritism and personal attacks on students whose parents are ready to address negative situations at the school.

  13. ya kill me, si!!!!!!
    August 16, 2012

    the teachers cant teach the students maths. period.
    i cant do much with a formula and a few examples. cause when u throw a word problem at me i have only a formula to look at.
    throw me some understanding. smh

    • MATHS
      August 16, 2012

      Are you trying to help yourself? Remember the teacher cannot do everything. He/She is just a facilitator of learning.The majority of the work has to be done by you.I know many many many many students like you who “waste time at school” and say teacher teacher teacher. The parents say the same thing also.Do you go to school with your Maths textbook? Do you do your Maths homework? Do you spend quality time trying to solve maths problems? Do you work extra problems, even when they were not assigned to you? Do you have past papers?
      Mind you while there are some bad teachers, there are many good ones, but irrespective of which one you encounter the onus is on you to try! try! try! try!
      You do not have the foundation,from the lower class(es).For many maths problems you should be able to transpose the formula given to you to solve for a,or b,or c or d, or x, or y or z.

  14. JIM
    August 16, 2012

    Prosperous countries are those with visionary leaders. I wonder what sort of impact $27 000 000 injection into the education system would have on our youths… Maths and english will continue to be a problem,since those in charge of education on island are themselves problems. They are failures in addressing all issues pertaining to education…Let’s see what the use of cellphones will do in September,especially at the publ;ic schools where the challenge lies.

    • Gary
      August 17, 2012

      I have never seen a more versatile, all-embracing, elastic and multi-faceted thing like that 27 million dollars. For valleh bobo it could/should have covered, now I am hearing it could even get students in DA to get more ones in CXC.
      For my 27 million I am getting 4 massive buildings in 1 compound. The most important building is full facility convention centre which will cater for 250 to 300 people. Right now DA cannot host a convention for more than 60. You know what that will do for the tourism industry etc?

      • awa wi
        August 17, 2012

        at least show some level of intelligence, 27 million in our educational institutions would surely improve the educational achievement of our students but as you state a compound with four massive buildings and a conference room more important than that. i would really like to know how many conferences we going to have? from your expectations of massive tourism boost due to a conference room i suspect is about 2 every week like cruise ship.lol. i mean seriously man some people really don’t know dere !@@# from their elbow no wonder every crook an criminal feels empowered in our soceity and our politicians look upon as they would little children who can be fooled and manipulated with a little candy.

  15. waiting
    August 16, 2012

    all u say things bad now, well after students and parents hear cell phones are welcomed in de classroom, come september….all u go see is deye roro ki ni roro. by de way note all de students dat do ell in de csec exams say dere parents give dem fuu support…get it?

  16. _______________
    August 16, 2012

    Maths is not a subject that starts at the secondary level.I believe that the major emphasis re mathematics should be at the primary level..If the students have a sound foundation at the primary level, then they can easily be taken to a higher level in 5 years. If the foundation has to be given at the secondary level, then we are looking at 10years at least of secondary schooling for the individual concerned.

    • student
      August 17, 2012

      I totally agree, why does not the MOE put the qualifed degree teachers in the primary school where the students need a solid base to continue into secondary school. If at secondry school theye dont have the solid backround they will fail

  17. conscious
    August 16, 2012

    oh the English language. Some English teachers in Dominica speak horrible. First of all, the elementary school system does not have SUBJECT teachers. The foundation lies there. I understand we have dialect but not knowing when to use it as teachers is a crime on our children. The education system sucks.

    • ya kill me, si!!!!!!
      August 16, 2012

      so true. i mean, if we speak english creole among friends, cool with me,,, but the classroom should be standard english, and how can the students speak standard english when the teachers speak differently most of the times?
      they speak that bad way up uwi.
      smh

      • >>>>>>>>>>>
        August 16, 2012

        I agree with you on this one.Some teachers are extremely inarticulate. It’s a shame really! The thing is the bright students can spot that,and it causes them to “look at the teacher in a particular light”…
        Should something be done at the entry level to test the teachers proficiency in English? A CSEC pass in English is not enough, since i know many many people with GRADE ONE in English and are unable to converse comfortably in the language. Some with degrees are included. OUR PROBLEMS ARE MANY! We dont read,we don’t listen to news,we like music, gangster music,we like to text (u for you,d for the, alu for all you,4 for for,etc.

    • Suggestion
      August 17, 2012

      Is it horrible , or horribly. I am a teacher.

      • August 18, 2012

        a preschool teacher then . haha :) :)

    • awa wi
      August 17, 2012

      i agree with your statement to an extent. once again it shows that dominicans concept of education is that all learning occurs at the school. how many parents speak properly to their kids or correct them when the speak improperly? how many parents actually read with their children?what is the focus in the home is it the 8 pm news or is it the r rated movie? children learn from all angles and settings, school is only five hours a day and a teacher spends ONE fifty minute period with a class of upwards of 25 students leaving little room for personal assistance.afternoon classes are given half the class remains(sadly not the half needing the assistance), remedial students uncatered for etc, etc, etc lets get serious about the children education and realize that a holistic approach is needed from all in order to improve this dismal trend of events

  18. MeCamem
    August 16, 2012
  19. Ringo
    August 16, 2012

    Parents, take your children off facebook and confiscate the blackberrys. Sit down with them sometimes and do some maths and english.

  20. haveyoursay
    August 16, 2012

    Has the MOE only just noticed the decline in the level of Math and English (level of education)on the island that the minister only now wants to address the issue? Why did they not appoint someone to investigate why students are arriving at high school not being able to read and write instead of someone to investigate the students sexual preference.

  21. PrettyS
    August 16, 2012

    Maths self eh.. hmmphh! :-?

  22. questioner
    August 16, 2012

    fund our libraries before allu talk!

    • Ahha?
      August 16, 2012

      I dont think Libraries have that much of an influence on the young people these days, back then when internet and technology was a luxury that could have been an excuse.
      The education system in Dca needs to take a new approach. One that will appeal to our “internet Children”

  23. Truth
    August 16, 2012

    The current education system has become a mess ever since USE and the curriculum was extended to include a number of subjects while no adjustment was made to the school day. As a matter of fact CSEC has stipulated the number of hours required to complete each syllabus for each subject area. However, what was done was to cut down on the number of hours needed for teaching various subjects in order to accommodate other subjects such as physical education. Note that PE was only done up to third form level,presently it is done by forth and fifth formers. There is nothing wrong with that in itself but the manner in which provision was made for this and other subjects leaves a lot to be desired. For example, instead of having five forty-five minute periods per week for English there are now three fifty minute periods per week. Do the math and you will see the short-changing that takes place. Additionally, there are schools with no libraries,students no longer read and when they write, every word is shortened because they think that it is alright to communicate formally in the same mannner that they do on their blackberry.

    There are private schools here in Dominica that begin the CSEC syllaybs in third form but those put in charge at the government schools are afraid to implement such at their schools. For heaven’s sake you are IN CHARGE. Do what is necessary to get your school on the same playing field with the others.

  24. Jamdominic
    August 16, 2012

    it seems the poor results in these two subjects are not just a Dominican problem, other regional countries have similar problems. It seems there is a systemic problem beginning with methodologies practiced from Primary level through to the Secondary level. It is anecdotal that when you ask most persons who have gone through the school system if they liked Mathematics the answer is more often than not…No. The reasons are many, but until the technocrats can develop methodologies for delivering the material in ways that make it practical, interesting and simple enough to understand, I am afraid the results will remain the same. It is foolhardy to continue doing the same things over and over again in the same way and each year expect better results…

    On another note, I am not sure what those percentages mean 95% Convent, 89% SDA etc. If a school sent up one person to do 1 subject and the person passed would that have been 100%? And how would that compare with a school that sent up 50 students each doing a minimum 8 subjects and 40 passed all 8, would that be an 80% success rate and therefore deemed to be not doing as well as the one person 1 subject school? Percentages by itself really cannot be relied on to give an accurate picture so if we can get the full data we are much better off.

  25. G
    August 16, 2012

    Do not blame the teachers, There is a fear of Mathematics around the world. Some countries are blessed with students who are naturally good in Mathematics but in the western section of the world Mathematics has always been a problem. Teachers may need to make adjustments in teaching habits and techniques but the parents should also be a driving force and an enforcer at home. Parents always remember you kids do not need you to be there friend but the need a guide and a parental figure. Demand education at home and drive your kids into their books. In the long run it will save you money….Bless

  26. Anonymous
    August 16, 2012

    hehe :lol:

  27. Suggestion
    August 16, 2012

    Is that so you can be rid of ur child? An 8 hour school day, is at best riduculous especially at the primary school level. Do you know of the attention span of primary aged students? Longer school days will have little significant impact if parents continue to take a back seat in the education of their children especially at government institutions. I am conivinced that the difference between government schools and private schools is the parental support and involvement in the government schools. A largeercentsge of parents take no orl little interest unill his/ het child gets to grade 6. This cannot continue.
    Additionally I am of the view that the chalkboard is obsolete. It no longer caters to the modern child. It is boring. We eed modern facilities and the technology that go along with it.
    Yet another problem is the lack of a purely technical school for those who we know are unable to do the book work. These children are extremely talented. I once had a student do an in lass commentary on a lesson. But he wouldn’t write. We have those who r ifted with their hands and would make great artists, painters carpenters. But everybody wants his ward to be a doctor or lawyer or something more esteemed by society.
    What could you possibly ope o gain by making Saturday a mandatory school day? Except save a babysitter so you can carrying on with your daily business. Do you realize the implications for teachers who have families of their own.? Some teachers are not able to help their own children because of hours spent on planning even after you leave the classroom. Do you realize the implication on the state. You surely are not suggesting that teachers not be paid for working on a Saturday?
    I propose with the abundance of after school programs in school and out of school parents who can should make the sacrifice and enroll their children in these programs. It’s your childs future. You do what you have to do. The education of a child cannot be left solely o the teacher who must manage in my case upwards of 35 children in a class.

  28. Take it easy
    August 16, 2012

    these low achievers are the ones who will turn out to be the professional criminals of tomorrow and they will be the ones who will torment these kinds of education officials for their failure at school

  29. too hard too long
    August 16, 2012

    What I would like to know is this:
    1. Does every students who gets to 5th form, do CXC Math?
    2. Do the students all do General Math?
    3. Are the overall results the same for both Basic and General Math (assuming they are still different exams)
    4. How does the student’s CXC grade compare with their historical grades? Is it the same sort of performance as seen in grade 6, 1st form, 2nd form and so on?
    5. Do the private schools still filter students who register for CXC? If they do, then their performance should be compared with that of students who would have been filtered in the public schools.
    6. Do the private schools have qualified Math and English teachers when compared to the public schools?
    7. Do the public schools manage to cover the entire syllabus with sufficient time for homework practice and guided revision to ensure correct grasp of the subject?

    I could ask so many questions, none of which may be directly the result of USE. I believe everything has its pros and cons but I refuse to believe that not all children have a place in secondary schools. There are so many technical CXC subjects now that all students can get 5 of something.

    Just like with Math, we need to make the students believe in themselves and in their ability to succeed. Everyone, everyone, has something they are good at. Give students the confidence to find it, embrace it and excel.

    • awa wi
      August 17, 2012

      i am going to attempt to answer your questions.

      1. yes

      2. yes. there is no longer a basic exam

      3. refer to #2

      4. that’s were you are wrong about USE. yes students records are kept by the school and you see the same students who were unable to achieve at the national assessment are the same ones who a failing CSEC. the problem is not USE per se but the implementation of USE without the prerequisite structures in place to deal with the low achievers, futher compounded by a lack of teachers trained in remedial programs.(the strategy to deal with these students is to place them in a remedial class and teach them at a slower rate than the mainstream students from forms one to three. then suddenly at 5th form they have to sit the same exam as everyone else)

      5. yes they filter the students and i agree with you on the students who did not sit with the school be part of the official analysis. in fact more so because they begin with the best students to begin with so how come so many are dropping along the way?

      6.not to sure on this one can’t talk about what i don’t know.incidentally on this point it is sometimes the qualified and appointed teachers who slack off either through personal reasons or pure laziness(common comment”i appointed already dey cannot do nothing with me”)

      7. the syllabus is most often not completed in the two year period when u factor in holidays,absenteeism,school activities etc. i have always advocated starting the syllabus in third form which would give teachers more time to complete the syllabus and SBA requirements the final term of school for fifth formers would consist of past papers practice and review which would increase the percentage of them passing the subjects.

      so you see i believe in everyone deserves a chance but we have to make it a real chance not like a lotto ticket where we just send kids to high school and hope for the best. the necessary programs, infrastructure and human resource needs to be put in place to make the dream of an educated populace a reality.

  30. Wait till the
    August 16, 2012

    All they doing is putting square pegs in wrong holes in the offices in education for political and other reasons…just ask the so-called assistant chief officer….. of his role in that regard

  31. Anonymous
    August 16, 2012

    When a maths teacher’s style is to give homework before he teaches a concept what do you expect? The child will go home, get somebody to do the homework bring it back with all correct and done, next chapter, lol.

  32. Anonymous
    August 16, 2012

    Where are the individuals that are hand picked for scholarships? The American universities have employed them. They were granted OAS etc scholarships with the intention to eradicate the problems that we now see. The teachers who are interested in making a meaningful contribution are turned down when they apply for scholarships, giving ridiculous excuses, like you are too old etc. Some teachers are employed over 10 years & not appointed. Some working over 30 yrs with all their qualification & stuck at a maximum whereby at the end of the month they cannot put food on their table. I feel for these people. Let deal with their monster they create.

  33. ?????????
    August 16, 2012

    Mr Hyacinth, every year you are saying the same thing. U S E is the problem sir. The bad results will never end.

  34. Concerned Citizen
    August 16, 2012

    I blame blackberry for the poor Grammar of our young people, then i blame society and even Education Researchers for it, because they use it as incentives to allow the young people top learn not realizing that it is in truth and fact destroying the youth.

  35. the unkown
    August 16, 2012

    the universal education is not working,again if i should say so 85percent of parents don’t really care how their kids do at school,now a child brings home 50/55 the parents evening checking that’s a pass smh

  36. GOM
    August 16, 2012

    Mr Hyacinth for the 100th time, the majority of candidates writing the CSEC Maths are those who cannot solve the ABC maths problems that are stated above, and those who cannot write their names.You were the one who said to give them a chance to write the subjects. They were given the chance, now you are crying, and seem ato be in a tantrum too?…CRYING FOR WHAT!
    The POOr results are because of USE and its abysmal failure,and lack of foresight of those administrating it. To add insult to injury, the blind bats in education are lauding a failing or failed programme whenever they are given a chance to talk on education matters,since according to them USE has been the best thing that has happened to education in Dominica.
    GIVE US THE POSITION OF THE ‘GOVERNMENT’S SECONDARY SCHOOLS” AGAINST THE “PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS” in this years CSEC exams sir, and you will see my point.
    We need in Dominica technical institutions tocater for many of the students who are at the bottom of the academic stream, and i believe that we need to look at Roseau as a centre,Grandbay,Marigot,Laplaine, St Joseph etc, and these children will excell in their field and add a lot of value and growth to our economy.
    At this juncture in our development, we need education officials who are forward looking and may i add radical in their approach. Those who can speak out,about this nonsense,which is repeating itself ad nauseum year after year after year. Chuppes!

    • .
      August 16, 2012

      WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Who is this person?

      • Concerned Citizen
        August 16, 2012

        Someone in the system it seems to me, and i strongly agree with everything said, i know about the educational system myself and it is in a total mess, things that can’t be solved at Primary School level won’t be at Secondary or God help us College, change the way the system is runned and who runs it and much more progress will be seen

    • Anonymous
      August 16, 2012

      Aptly put. The ‘chuppes’ at the end put the icing on the cake. And with your view, I do indeed concur.

    • Free Thinker
      August 17, 2012

      Well said, I concur.

  37. Nkrumah Kwame
    August 16, 2012

    And what is the Ministry of Education & HRD doing about this phenomenon? We in Da accept too many LOW standards. The challenges of numeracy and literacy have been perennal and all attempts so far have been directed at the symptons and not the cause. We still have UNTRAINED teachers in the classroom, no policy in place as regards a career path for teachers,the inability/unwillingness to see development in longer periods instead of the usual maximum two year periods, mixed signals given to both parents and students, political expediency,poor monitoring at all levels of the system,poor management of our limited financial and other resources, and the SHORTEST school day in the WORLD.

    I really am at a loss to believe that our current and past administrators are not aware that the jobs available in this knowledge-based society are being competed for by citizens of other countries whose school day is a MINIMUM eight (8) hours and school again on Saturdays!! Let us stop this nonsense about one graduate per household by 2015 (with no planning whatsoever as to how – if accomplished – the achievement will dovetail within the general national developmental goals) and fix the problem once and for all.
    After all, when the colonials were in command, they did accomplish the targets set; why can’t we??

    • Suggestion
      August 16, 2012

      Some people can be so misleading and deliberately too with their pronouncements. So, I googled school hours around the world. France who has an 8 hour day with a half day on Saturday has a lunc period of 2 hours and no school on Wednesday. China goes from 730 to 5 with a 2 hour lunch break. Do the math. A school is not a nursery. You send your children to learn. Not so teachers can babysit them.

  38. Me
    August 16, 2012

    I think the maths teachers need to re-vamp the way that maths is taught. Too many students are still ‘scared’ of maths. we need to change that attitude.

    mm

  39. Shameless
    August 16, 2012

    I guess Sabroach was right againnnnnn! The Education Minister must go as far as I am concerned. Give teachers the right tools and incentives and believe me, they will do the rest.

    Another thing is that too many “politically” appointed / Temporary teachers in the system. You cant have people in the teaching profession simply because they want to earn a living either. They MUST be dedicated to giving their all day in day out. This just another sign of a failed state.

    Assertive, NOT Agressive!

    • ()
      August 16, 2012

      Don’t mention the high rate of absenteeism…Teachers who are constantly at school are being punished for the mischief perpetrated by these teachers,most times not because they are sick, but because they know thatthe education system is extremely weak and they can ride it at will.

    • Proud Dominican
      August 16, 2012

      I agree too many teachers are there to earn a salary and year after year their appraisals are bad and the MoE and principals will not get rid of them!

  40. New Observer
    August 16, 2012

    So you guys still think Universal Education is working… Admit the mistake and go back to a tried and proven method we had before. Notice DGS is no longer in the top 3 and the schools at the top are non government schools… THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES

    • GOM
      August 16, 2012

      I am “GOM”, if my contribution to the online discourse is published. Read it!

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