PROPOSED POLICY NOT PERFORMANCE SOLUTION

 
Sir,

Allow me to join the debate on the above proposed intervention. My contribution is twofold. First, there should be no finger pointing at this time because we are all to blame for the poor performance of pupils in some schools.

The results are a reflection of our input as a country. We tend to be reactive and not proactive in many instances. Secondly, the policy in no ‘panacea’ to the high pupils’ failure rate in some of the schools. There are better tools that are evidence-based and have been tested and tried in some schools in the country.
The proposed approach is in point form and less explained because of space and it is aimed at challenging all stakeholders to consider:
Head teachers should assume their core function: Leadership and enabling others (teachers in particular, pupils and support staff) to act.
Parents should provide all the necessary support to their children for fear that the money they spend will go into the drain.

Ensure that all the schools have adequate tools, materials and infrastructure that enables a teacher to teach effectively.
Mount a series of in-service training for teachers in order to help them to re-tool and stay on the cutting edge. The in-service training must be based on the teachers’ priority areas.

 Increase the number of subject inspectors so that all schools can be inspected accordingly and given successive feedback. Find ways to reduce the absenteeism of pupils in schools.
Rotate teachers particularly those teaching Grade VII, Form III and Form V.

Organise retreats for teachers and where possible get motivational speakers or use teachers from excelling schools to share their success stories with their colleagues.
Bring back the true pupil discipline, not brutality by some teachers.

Remove positive discipline because teachers do not understand what it is and how it is to shape the behaviour of pupils.
Finally, let me reiterate that we need to be proactive and not reactive.

Former teacher and parent

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