Retired principal not on board with Junior Academies

- by Barbados Today May 31, 2023

The proposed introduction of Junior Academies under a reformed education system is not sitting well with veteran educator Jeff Broomes.
The retired principal has expressed concern for those in the 12 to 14 age group who would be attending this middle school set-up under the Government’s plan, saying the situation could present an atmosphere ripe for bullying.
One of the major reforms identified is the introduction of a new system under which students transition from primary school to academies at the secondary level – Junior Academies, which would be equivalent to first to third forms; and Academies of Excellence which would be for senior students.
“I do not like the idea of what is now traditionally third form being the head of the school,” Broomes said in an interview with Barbados TODAY.
“From what is being suggested, it seems as though the first, second and third formers would make the Junior Academies. I think that 13-14 [age group] is the most difficult time for children and they give the most trouble. I honestly believe that they would not treat the other children well…. Those third formers will terrorise the younger ones, and they need older [students] to control them and shouldn’t be the seniors of the school, in my view.”
He suggested that the middle school concept should only be for a two-year period, with students moving on to the Academies of Excellence for four years.
On Sunday, Democratic Labour Party (DLP) president Dr Ronnie Yearwood suggested the Government should scrap the proposal for the Junior Academies.
“Why are we importing junior schools into our system from the Americans when the Americans are trying to get rid of middle schools because they are problematic?” he said at a Joint Zonal Meeting at the Deighton Griffith Secondary School. “They realised they don’t work and literally create zones of emptiness at a point where learning almost dissipates from children. There is research to show this…. Middle schools do not work. Junior schools do not work.”
Meanwhile, former principal of the Coleridge and Parry Secondary School Senator Alwin Adams said any discussion about education going forward must be linked to Barbados’ sustainable economic and social development.
He expressed concern about the impact of an education system that is failing young men.
“If you have a very large percentage of your population – that is, the boys – underperforming, it is going to reflect in the performance of your economy so that there’s a direct relationship between the anaemic economic performance of the country and the system of education that we promote,” he said.
“Many of the reports from the Government itself are saying that about 70 to 80 per cent are leaving school without qualification or are without any marketable skill in order to allow them to participate in the economic development of the country properly. That is a recipe for economic disaster.”
Adams also suggested that the focus of the Ministry of Education should be on creating “decent” schools across the country to prevent students from leaving the newer secondary schools with little or no certification. He said that situation breeds social dislocation.
(JB)

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