The Tribune

By RUPERT MISSICK JR

THE results of standardised exams like the BGCSE can only improve if teacher supervision improves, Bahamas Union of Teachers president Belinda Wilson said.

Speaking to The Tribune yesterday, Ms Wilson said there is an effort by education officials to use the exam results to craft a through plan of action to correct deficiencies in the curriculum and address shortfalls in teacher training.

Ms Wilson said that is why she welcomed the news from Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald that officials will closely analyse the BJC and BGCSE results with a view to using the data to improve public education.

Ms Wilson said she believes that the GLAT, BJC and BGCSE are important, but feels that there is too much emphasis placed on the results.

“Learning and teaching are two processes that occur for life. I bet if you were to interview 10 prominent Bahamians they may tell you that they got a few BGCSEs and even a few GCSEs but then they went onto college and university and done much better,” the union president said.

With regard to the debate over whether teachers or parents are most responsible for the dismal grades across the country, Ms Wilson said that both share the blame equally.

However, she pointed out that school administrators also have the ability to turn a poorly performing teacher around, but often choose not to.

“Let’s say for the sake of argument it is the teacher, and for three consecutive years my students have been failing, its up the supervisor or the employer to make sure that the teacher gets the mentoring and training they need.

“So when they talk about analysing the data from these tests and then some action, I am happy. To hell with ‘Oh my we’re moving from a D to and E isn’t that terrible’.

“To hell with that! We are tired of hearing it. You are in charge, you have the ability to affect change, what are you going to do?”