JTA: More Resources Needed to Bolster Learning

The President of the Jamaica Teachers Association, (JTA) Winston Smith is calling for more resources to bolster learning as the results from the 2021 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) have shown an improvement compared to the corresponding period in 2020.

Mr. Smith says the results of the 2021 sitting of the CXC Examinations are encouraging amid the challenges brought on by the pandemic. He notes that a review of the conditions that the students had to work under for the 2021 academic year; it is commendable as both teachers and students would have been blindsided by the negative impacts and setbacks due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

He notes as social studies and mathematics saw the lowest results, teachers faced major challenges using the online modality. He added that these subjects require a more hands-on and face-to-face interaction, to grasp and practice the concepts and though the teaching is being done online, students to some extent are left on their own to practice or demonstrate the understanding of the concepts.

The JTA President adds that though students have advanced on a technological level, there is still much more room for development. This as he notes that more resources are needed to bolster learning.

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