Education policies, programmes must benefit our people

 I WOULD like to comment on the Education Department’s proposal to consider scrapping grade 8 and 10 exams next year.

 If this is to happen I have a funny feeling that we have missed a link elsewhere in our education system. 

Many districts in our 22 provinces do not have enough high and secondary schools so imagine students moving into one or two high schools and secondary schools in each districts at the start of the schooling year. 

Think of space in the dormitories of boarding schools and imagine the the number of classrooms to cater for the expected large increase in student numbers. 

There would also be massive need for teachers in all schools next year. It means more houses to be built for teachers’ accommodation. 

Moreover, the schools will need more land to facilitate for the expanded infrastructure next year. 

From elementary to secondary level there will be high influx of students. What is the strategy to resolve this problem?

With free education many schools have experienced a triple influx of number of student enrolment. 

Most primary and secondary schools are still facing problems associated with free education. 

Many teachers in schools are sharing houses leaving their spouses and children in the village or elsewhere. 

In a particular secondary school, one can see close to eighty to ninety students in the classroom without desk to sit on. In another secondary school the mess hall was split into four compartments to accommodate four classes.

This is a classic case of lack of insight in response to growing population in the country. 

It is a case of making political decisions without appropriate consultation with appropriate research institutions in the country.

It is good to have educated population in the country but when you decide to make a decision for an educated population then the government must create tertiary institutions and ensure conducive investment environment, provide incentives and manage the economy will be the cornerstone of a nation’ development. At this moment it is not happening.

I see this as a tragedy that the current leaders of our country have made. 

Election 2017 is around the corner and I believe this new idea that all students will not sit for external examinations next year will lead to mass quantity output and huge decline in quality education

It would be wise if appropriate consultation is done before political decisions are made.

Our leaders must consider these situations and make decisions that benefit all stakeholders, especially our children and future generations.

Mike Reupana, Via email