[dropcap]O[/dropcap]nce upon a simpler time education was defined as: “To acquire a skill for future employment and to prepare one for the world of work.” School was a place one went to learn certain skills that would later be used to earn an income and, hopefully, to prosper. Back then, schools taught pottery, gardening, sewing and art, in addition to “the three Rs”. Parents were encouraged to attach their children to an after-school cabinet maker, or joiner, mechanic, carpenter, or tailoring shop for further training. Education was a hands-on practical affair, and work was largely performed with the hands.
The better teachers and headmasters also taught their charges to modulate their voices and to pitch the spoken word at a distant listener. Speaking clearly and confidently was another skill to be acquired and cherished. Attentive parents could see and hear their children’s progress. No matter how education is defined today, the art of speaking—in whatever the language—can still be recognized in some individuals.
At an early age one also heard that there were such things as secondary schools to which one could aspire under certain conditions. Teachers, too, had to be trained, sit examinations, and receive promotions based on their performance at these examinations. Education was perceived as a continuing process. This was true for persons who also studied at universities.
It soon became obvious that no matter how much one chose to learn, the foundation was laid at the primary school. I was not surprised to hear Sir Arthur Lewis restating the value of a solid primary school education when delivering a graduation address at the University of the West Indies in 1970 or ’71. Sir Arthur was a strong proponent of tertiary education but he insisted that the foundation of a good university education began at the primary school. Sir Arthur, may he rest in peace, would be happy to learn that Saint Lucia has progressed in education. The island has more secondary schools than it has children to fill them. Also, the education policy now aims for a minimum of a secondary school education, not a primary. One feels certain, however, that education planners have kept Sir Arthur’s injunction in mind. Today, they begin as early as the pre-schools and try to identify any learning disabilities in children before they enter primary school. This is progress and those responsible should be commended.
Notwithstanding the above, it broke my heart as I listened to some of the negative comments after it was first proposed that the island’s lone Community College should be expanded into a University-College. Some who opposed the idea were themselves qualified university graduates. Surely, one would have thought, they would welcome an increase in their ranks. In this regard, it is pleasing to note that after a lull of some fifteen years, the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College will indeed be transformed into a University-College. A loan application to the CDB has been approved after a five-year delay. This was due to the confusion which reached the CDB over the negative debate emanating from some educators in Saint Lucia.
Who can tell for certain that the naysayers had no secret agendas or axes to grind? It reminds me that since the mid-1960s Saint Lucia has been fortunate to have had visionary Ministers of Education. One recalls Hunter J. Francois, Allan Bousquet, Louis George, Arsene James and Mario Michel—all men of distinction. One detected in the above former ministers that educating the youth of Saint Lucia was a priority. Thankfully, they all had proficient and capable permanent secretaries and staff who supported their vision.
Recently, a new education policy has been enunciated by the Ministry of Education. Gros Islet Secondary School has been earmarked for sports development while the Anse Ger Secondary will specialize in creative arts and craft development. We wish this new initiative every success. We pray that in this process, government and its advisers do not lose sight of the need for a solid primary and secondary school education throughout the country. Policy formulators need to keep in mind that the vast majority of the population will most likely have access only to a basic education at those levels.
With this in mind, teaching our children to speak English correctly and confidently ought to underpin the whole system of education. Other languages may accompany or follow English in due course. Speaking clearly and correctly, in whatever language, accompanied by a clear appreciation of the social graces are two qualities which will prove as important as a higher University-College education. The great Sir Arthur, after whom our Community College is named, was correct when he reiterated the value of a sound primary school education. We must not delude ourselves that because we have been able to raise the education bar to afford every child basic secondary schooling, that has obviated the need for a sound primary school education.
In the desire to provide University-College education on the island, we need to keep in mind that the majority of workers will likely attend only the island’s primary and secondary schools. We need also to keep in mind that the gaffes in speeches delivered by certain senior personnel in the public and private sectors could have been remedied at the primary school level. It therefore bears repetition that we must build our work-force on the solid foundation of top-class primary school education which, in turn, feeds our secondary schools. The idea is to encourage the pursuit of excellence. Our University-College must be prepared to welcome only the best students from Saint Lucia and the region. It must continue to be inspired by the island’s Nobel laureates, to learn and to prosper.
