Letter of the Day | Jamaica must resist colonial influences in schools

THE EDITOR, Madam:

As the world mourns the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, there is heightened resentment and apathy from others. These argument in this letter are around topical education-related issues, such as grooming and uniform policies across the country, and how these have and continue to reinforce colonial values.

While Jamaica gained its Independence from Britain in 1962, colonial influences are still evident as Jamaica struggles with cultivating her own values. These influences are especially dominant in our education system. Jamaica’s dualised system of secondary schooling – traditional and non-traditional schools – was derived from Britain’s grammar-school structure, a system that has been criticised for creating social division and inequitable access to high-quality education. Yet, despite Britain’s acknowledgement of said, and the ban on the establishment of new grammar schools since 1998 by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Jamaica’s secondary-school placement continues to reify these practices.

The start of the new academic year is also accompanied by new challenges. The outpouring of criticisms and frustration from parents and students regarding uniform policies highlights the need for a re-examination of our school rules, and policies more broadly. Admittedly, schools are perhaps the most important agents of socialisation within societies; however, what is the relationship between the fit of students’ uniform and their learning? Likewise, how does wearing tight pants or having plaits or hair extensions affect students’ future? As a former secondary-school teacher, I know many of my colleagues will disagree with me, insisting on the importance of rules to the socialisation of children. However, when these rules are archaic and have limited impact on students’ learning and future, then they must be questioned.

Having taught in England for two years, I am rather surprised at the progress it has made in its education practices and Jamaica’s failure to keep up with these improvements. For example, students may not be denied entry to school for any reason. Instead, these institutions are expected to create systems to deal with ‘minor inconveniences’, such as incorrect shoes or a missing tie, by providing these materials to students. At the heart of such a system is protecting and preserving students’ right and access to education, unlike in Jamaica, where locking them out continues to be an ongoing battle.

To resist these influences, we (policymakers, school leaders, and teachers) must interrogate much of what we know and think about education policies and practices with at least two overarching questions in mind: how will this affect students’ learning? And who is most affected by these policies or practices (students from upper- versus lower-class backgrounds)? If these policies have little to no impact on students’ learning, then these rules are rooted in colonialism and must be avoided. Likewise, if said policies affect predominantly students of low socio-economic status, then these policies are rooted in classism and must be challenged at all costs. Moreover, as the Jamaican society would have developed its unique culture – largely shaped by dancehall and, more recently, social media – it becomes necessary for schools, and more broadly, the Ministry of Education, to adopt a more culturally responsive approach to their rules and policies.

Reflecting on recent political conversations about following in the footsteps of Barbados to remove the monarch as Jamaica’s head of state, our politicians should also remove these influences on all segments of our society. It is also important for us to value and embrace aspects of our unique culture such as Patois, dancehall music, fashion, which we so exploit for tourism, marketing, and campaigning purposes. Otherwise, the proposed transition will be merely symbolic and counterproductive if the values and beliefs of Britain remain entrenched in our society.

MARIO JACKSON

North Carolina

State University