Orville Higgins | Time to get rid of ISSA's archaic 45 per cent rule

Have you ever been involved in any debate that after a while you start wondering why is this even a discussion? Have you ever found yourself in an argument and you just know that there are absolutely no good arguments on the other side? Have you ever taken a position on any issue and have good strong solid points and get really annoyed at the not so well thought out, powder puff counters that the other side is bringing? Have you ever wondered why supposedly intelligent people can talk so much nonsense? Well I have!

The 45 per cent rule by ISSA is one such debate where I have taken one side and find it bewildering how people even think of going the other way.

The rule states that to participate in ISSA-run competitions, a student must average at least 45 per cent in four subjects in the term preceding the event. The rule is outdated, discriminatory and serves no useful purpose. Those who insist that the rule should be kept have put forward some arguments that make zero sense.

It's clear ISSA is just holding on to the rule out of sheer stubbornness.

The rule came in when common entrance was still the main way students left primary school to high school. Common entrance was not an easy exam. One can pre suppose that those who passed would be generally able to function reasonably in four subjects in high schools. Those who failed were not given spots in high schools, which therefore meant it was the elite students who went to high schools at the time of the rule. Asking the elite crop of students in the land to function in four subjects was reasonable but alas the dynamics have changed dramatically!

THE GSAT

In modern times the GSAT has replaced the Common Entrance. By and large this is not really a pass and fail exam, but more a placement test. The bright ones are sent to the top schools, while the slow ones are shuttled off to "so and so high." I have heard principals complaining bitterly that their schools are sent students who average 25 per cent in GSAT! In other words, students are now entering high schools averaging far less than the ISSA requirements to begin with and are now being told to improve on this or else no sports for them!

Any of the times a student has done better than 45 per cent in four subjects only because the test results were carefully manipulated.

ISSA did not say that the 45 per cent must be at the expected level required of students hoping to do well in CSEC and therein lies the window for schools to effectively doctor these grades. The teachers don't have to set work based on where the students ought to be at that stage in the syllabus. I taught English language and literature at the high school level and I can make an "A" student out of any one I want. I can set an English exam for a fourth form student asking him to find a word that rhymes with "cat" or how to spell "jack".

Those who think the rule is raising standards need to think again.

THE SCHOOL'S ROLE

When you point out to some people that high schools are there to develop rounded students and that the school has as much a duty to develop a child's academic side as his sporting side, you will hear "let him find a club."

When you tell them that high schools are at times the only channel for these students to improve on their talent that can take them and their family out of poverty you may hear "let them find a club."

What clubs are readily available to a 15 year-old cricketer in deep rural Jamaica? In many cases none.

When you point out that ISSA only has this rule for athletes and not for students involved in any other extra curricular activity you will hear that ISSA is a body of principals set up to govern sports and therefore can't delve in other areas. Why isn't there a body of principals set up to govern the other things students do after school? Principals can set up an organisation to monitor anything! That they chose to form a body only to regulate sports is their choice and is discriminatory to say the least.

I agree with ISSA regarding the attendance rule, which forces children to be in school.

Forget the antiquated 45 per cent rule. Judge a child on his attendance and discipline. If he is attending classes and is well behaved, their should be no reason not to represent his school if he is good enough. I long for the day when somebody takes ISSA to court over this!