THE Ministry of Education continued its series of consultations on Grade RepetitionRetention & Automatic Promotion and Corporal Punishment
last Tuesday at Mahdia Community Centre in Region 8(Potar/Siparuni) with about 100 residents participating in the discussions

The participants included, Ms. Collette Adams, from the Office of the Regional Executive Officer (REO); Mrs. Marcia Paddy-Andrews, Regional Education Officer; teachers from the nursery, primary and secondary schools, as well as their head teachers, District Education Officers, Schools Welfare Officers, other regional officials and Toshaos among others.
The visiting team, led by Ms. Carol Benn, National Coordinator of Parent Teachers Associations, Ministry of Education and Ms. Elsie Croal, Ms. Pauline Stanford and Mr. Ryan Toney from National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD).
Making her presentation to the gathering, Benn explained, in detail, the outline of the national consultation and sought questions and clarification from the teachers, first, before inviting the views of parents and other citizens.
A number of issues were raised and explanations sought by both teachers and parents, regarding the Government’s policy on the topics being discussed.
Some residents suggested there should be a programme for slow learners in the school system, although they had major concerns over the automatic promotion.
Several indicated that not all are interested in activities inside and outside of Mahdia, as regards mining but have seen several youths mostly males elevate themselves academically at a late stage.
Other issues
Others pointed to the need for more consultations on other issues as they saw the necessity for their views to be heard and their interest in the assistance and creation of a more parent/teacher relationship for the development of their children and students of the school and community.
Speaking about corporal punishment, Benn got support from many of the parents for the Ministry to reintroduce it with prescribed guidelines.
Older teachers present pointed out some of the students to whom they had administered lashes and, today, are teaching and are well set in moulding the nation’s children to become leaders and, like themselves, teach tomorrow’s brood.
Toshao of nearby Campbelltown Village, Ms. Marbell Thomas sought clarity on behalf of her community, noting that it is a good thing to seek the intervention of people from Mahdia on such an important matter. She saw the necessity for the creation of a more parent/teacher/child relationship in achieving progressive academic results.
The congregation expressed satisfaction and thanked the officials for such a timely exercise in Education Month.