Primary teachers raise concerns about new curriculum
OCHO RIOS, St Ann — Primary school teachers have listed inadequate time to have common planning sessions for educators, and the heavy student/teacher ratio in classes as chief among the challenges being encountered in the implementation of the revised curriculum for primary schools.
Their concerns were raised this week when more than 520 Grade One teachers from regions one, two, three and six met at the Renaissance Jamaica Grande in Ocho Rios to address the changes that were made in 2001.
They contended that the new curriculum has proven more difficult to enforce than originally thought and has left some teachers unable to cope with the heavy workload.
As a result of the integrated learning method now required, teachers are expected to meet regularly (at schools) to discuss the curriculum, a term referred to as common planning time.
“The major difference… is that the new curriculum involves integrated learning, whereas the original one involved teaching separate subject entities,” Lena Buckle-Scott, training co-ordinator at the education ministry’s professional development unit, told the Observer.
Buckle-Scott said teachers received orientation when the curriculum was implemented in 2001 and this week’s workshop was follow-up training.
The revised curriculum requires the use of more student-centred activities to impart knowledge than did the previous schedule, thus giving students the benefits of a more hands-on approach. Buckle-Scott said students now known how to learn and also how to develop research skills, among other things.
“It’s a variety of methodology that caters to students at all levels, whether they be slow, medium or fast learners,” she said.
“It provides learning experiences to address ways of learning as some students learn by doing, while some learn by reading, etc,” she added.