LEVELLING the playing field in the classroom should be the urgent aim of our education system. Equity is complex but is required for all students to thrive in the classroom. It necessitates the removal of barriers so that every student is treated fairly and is provided with the infrastructure, tools as well as competent personnel to deliver excellent education. It involves identification and intervention for students with unique needs such as learning difficulties. Action must be swift once at-risk students are identified.

Equity is not the same as equality. Equality is where everyone is treated the same while equity is where everyone is provided with what they need to succeed. The goals remain the same, but the support caters to each child’s individual needs. Equity is two dimensional embracing fairness and inclusion on an individual basis. This means that no matter what a student’s background, race, gender, religion, disability or learning difficulty is, each student is provided with the support and resources necessary for his/her achievement. Our students are diverse and as such our education system must also be diverse. We must not only support and engage those who excel but must also do the same for the students who struggle.

Undoubtedly, remote learning resulting from the pandemic widened the gap between disadvantaged and advantaged students. COVID-19 has exacerbated the learning crisis in almost every country across the globe. It is, therefore, incumbent on our policymakers, educators and administrators to tackle the problem head on and narrow the gap.

The time is now for a reworking of learning systems, policies and how subject matter is delivered to students on a national level. We do not live in a ‘one-size-fit-all’ world and so delivery of content must be varied to match students’ learning capabilities. Interventions and resources must be readily accessible in order to close the opportunity and achievement gap ensuring that all students become contributors to society as adults.

Learning gaps and/or difficulties typically present themselves in the early years. The more adept teachers are at identifying these blockages, the greater the chance for the child to excel.

Technology is now a crucial aspect of education at all levels. Do all our students have the ability to access common technology such as Wi-Fi and/or have the devices to do so? There must be access across the depth and breadth of the country. The burning question is: what could be more important than supporting out educators and schools currently operating in dire and desperate need? After all, isn’t placing a high value on education a prerequisite for a thriving economy?

It is a fact that schools with higher proportions of students from lower economic families are at a greater risk of low school performance which then dictates that a greater portion of the pie be allocated to these schools.

We have been blessed with superiority and world-class fame in music, sports, culture, food, among others, so isn’t it time that we make education a priority? It is time to get rid of outdated policies, regulations and lack of imagination. An increase in the investment in our education system not only results in higher productivity and greater employability among adults, but also ensures inclusive growth and an improved standard of living for all our citizens.

Addressing the challenges and inequity in our education system is challenging and is a difficult endeavour for any country. It requires strong and consistent political support, policy design and implementation sustained over time. Just imagine what our nation could become if we brought equity to our education system in a society that is so fragmented. Surely, we would raise the educational attainment of all our students.

When one student succeeds, we all succeed.

Dr Karla Hylton is the founder and CEO of Your Empowerment Solutions (YES) Institute, offering mathematics and science tutoring as well as a host of workshops for parents, teachers, and students. She is the author of Yes! You Can Help Your Child Achieve Academic Success and Complete Chemistry for Caribbean High Schools. Reach her at (876) 564-1347; e-mail: ceo@yes-institute.com; or visit www.yes-institute.com, or www.khylton.com.