UTech, Jamaica 2015-16 Annual Report

University of Technology, Jamaica ANNUAL REPORT 2015-2016 Page 6 Education is a straight forward process. Students go to school from 3-4 years old and leave by 18 years when they graduate. Some who reach that stage of graduation go to college or university. In Jamaica some seventy five percent leave secondary school without sufficient passes to develop a career. A fundamental problem in Jamaica is that this 75:25 pecent ratio has existed for more than 55 years with only marginal changes up and down. This ratio must be changed from 75:25 to a ratio of 25:75, that is 25 percent failure and 75 percent passes. Can you imagine what this would do for Jamaica? The population would be made up of three times as many skilled persons as those who have no skills: more teachers, nurses, security force personnel, lawyers, economists, engineers, accountants, entrepreneurs, tradesmen, and so on. People with these skills and career should not have any problem finding employment. But sadly this is not the case in Jamaica. Unemployment is at an unacceptably high level forcing many of those with skills and careers to migrate. To Jamaica, this represents a significant loss of brain power. But those who made the journey abroad are not disappointed. They got employment and sent some of their savings back home to help their family and country. This brings us to ask the question: after 55 years of failure, is there another way to find success? A new type of education system is emerging which could be productive because it appears to be a possible answer. The solution is to ensure that those who attend school at whatever age focus seriously on what they are being taught, especially the younger ones. Without this they will go through the school system learning very little. The new system involves lessons from a computer provided for each child. After each computer lesson, the computer sends answers on the lessons to a particular institution abroad where there is an arrangement to collect the material, correct the answers and return to the schools. The best teachers are used to keep order and assist those who need help. This mechanised form of learning has worked in several places and is being tried in others. Will this be the answer? It is different from the usual system but by the isolation of each student with a computer silently working and studying, it is possible that the system would work because it adds greater focus by students. Some secondary schools are using the system on a limited basis. If it works on a substantial scale it would usher in a new way for young people to work better for an education that would benefit themselves and their country. Jamaica is in need of this possible solution. It should be approached with an open mind to accept, or reject. “Is Education Facing A New Age?” CHANCELLOR’S MESSAGE The Most Hon Edward Seaga, ON, PC