Another PNC/AFC dictator seems in the making, tell me that he is just making himself a fool, maybe not a fool but perceivably an a h

Comments:

PETER • 11 hours ago

Come on, guys, let's put aside politics and look at the issue in practical terms from the standpoint of the high school student preparing for these exams. We were once high school students in the same situation too. 

If a student is committed to 20 subjects, imagine what his/her study timetable looks like for a 6-day week, allowing one day of rest. My experience as a student and teacher, coupled with information from my teacher friends, tells me that the 20-subjects student is carrying an unnecessarily heavy burden not only on the brain but also on the body. For good health and well-being, young people need to participate in physical activities that sports provide. I suppose a 20-subjects student has to forego such necessary physical exercises during many months of preparation for exams. 

And, really, when a matriculated student enters the job market, most employers don't expect or need applicants with 20 CXC passes.

I think 8 to 10 subjects would be reasonable, giving the young person time for study and play. I still remember a line from my "First Aid in English" primary school textbook: "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."

Firstly, the person who wrote that article could have benefited from a little more Grammar lessons. Secondly, how did the escalation of subjects began? Thirdly, if kids are passing these many subjects, why limit them to a mere fraction of what they can handle? Lastly, I don't think I have seen a picture of one of these kids what amassed passes on around 20 subjects looking obese. Why create a excuse just for the sake of having an excuse?

It is reasonable for the ministry to create different avenues where those wishing to undertake that many subjects can do so while those wishing to have a mix of lesser subjects coupled with other activities like sports or other social activities.

It should not boil down to what the Minister or Ministry dictates, the student/teacher/parent should have the final say...........since the Minister/Ministry is not footing the bill for the student's education then why should he or his ministry dictates?

I feel that more the subjects, gives the student an overall  advantage, twenty is better that ten. Lets the kids go for glory.

Not because some of you guys were in the limited side and could not get more than 6, you should make an argument for less subjects.........again I say give the kids a break....let them shine.

Gilbakka posted:

Come on, guys, let's put aside politics and look at the issue in practical terms from the standpoint of the high school student preparing for these exams. We were once high school students in the same situation too. 

If a student is committed to 20 subjects, imagine what his/her study timetable looks like for a 6-day week, allowing one day of rest. My experience as a student and teacher, coupled with information from my teacher friends, tells me that the 20-subjects student is carrying an unnecessarily heavy burden not only on the brain but also on the body. For good health and well-being, young people need to participate in physical activities that sports provide. I suppose a 20-subjects student has to forego such necessary physical exercises during many months of preparation for exams. 

And, really, when a matriculated student enters the job market, most employers don't expect or need applicants with 20 CXC passes.

I think 8 to 10 subjects would be reasonable, giving the young person time for study and play. I still remember a line from my "First Aid in English" primary school textbook: "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."

This is another Coalition dictator who is making an issue out of a non-issue. And Gilly, tell me how many students have taken 20 subjects at CXC? I take it you were just pulling one on us by the inflating the number to 20!

Dondadda posted:

Gilly, tell me how many students have taken 20 subjects at CXC? I take it you were just pulling one on us by the inflating the number to 20!

QUOTE: "The Education Minister’s concerns came even as Guyanese students are pushing to write much more than eight subjects.  Demerara Waves Online News was told that a Queen’s College student is slated to write 22 CXC subjects this year. Information is that another student is already preparing to write 25 subjects in 2017.

Sources at the school have confirmed that a female student is preparing to write 22 CXC subjects, the highest number to be written in the country and the Caribbean according to available information.

Last year was not the first time had student had written 29 subjects, but when the country’s top performer passed with 20 ones, an examination of the matter was requested."

Gilbakka posted:

Dondadda posted:

Gilly, tell me how many students have taken 20 subjects at CXC? I take it you were just pulling one on us by the inflating the number to 20!

QUOTE: "The Education Minister’s concerns came even as Guyanese students are pushing to write much more than eight subjects.  Demerara Waves Online News was told that a Queen’s College student is slated to write 22 CXC subjects this year. Information is that another student is already preparing to write 25 subjects in 2017.

Sources at the school have confirmed that a female student is preparing to write 22 CXC subjects, the highest number to be written in the country and the Caribbean according to available information.

Last year was not the first time had student had written 29 subjects, but when the country’s top performer passed with 20 ones, an examination of the matter was requested."

Guyana's got Bright children Bhai!. Gilly, thank you for sharing this info. I am never too old to learn.

asj posted:

Another PNC/AFC dictator seems in the making, tell me that he is just making himself a fool, maybe not a fool but perceivably an a h

You are too much blinded by your anti the APNU to go out there and inform yourself on the various views on the philosophy of education. It is often taken that less in more in this respect. It is better for the child to be able to fully grasp t he course material rather than use the course material to regurgitate trite answers and would get a pass but yet the child remains ignorant of the subject.

If the child focuses on a core subjects in the liberal arts tradition of a balance between the arts and sciences and sports one gets a thinking child who will do better when  specialization occurs  in college. In us schools especially, the emphasis is on analysis and creativity not on pat answers regurgitated by cramming. Students taking numerous subjects never get to fully know that subject. They simply study to the test

asj posted:

Comments:

PETER • 11 hours ago

Roopnarine has his brain up his ass, he still thinks he is in the 1966-2015 era where the political masters dictate what a child should or should not learn, he sounds like a 3rd World dictator who wants the masses to be a bunch of uneducated morons so they can continue ruling them, burnham took away the English standard of education because he said it was adhering to colonial mentality yet he was educated under this same system which he used to enslave his people. This idiot roopnarine is trying to stagnate the growth of the educational standards in Guyana which we boasted about before the burnham and cheddie era, this is tantamount to treason against the people of Guyana. .

 

This is mindless commentary aimed at agitating rather than offering an analysis of the position presented by the minister. Absolutely nothing in this post addresses the view of the position. It is simply a rant and indeed demonstrates why indeed we need some students being more grounded in what it actually takes to be analytical. It is after all the basis of sound education.

Gilbakka posted:

Come on, guys, let's put aside politics and look at the issue in practical terms from the standpoint of the high school student preparing for these exams. We were once high school students in the same situation too. 

If a student is committed to 20 subjects, imagine what his/her study timetable looks like for a 6-day week, allowing one day of rest. My experience as a student and teacher, coupled with information from my teacher friends, tells me that the 20-subjects student is carrying an unnecessarily heavy burden not only on the brain but also on the body. For good health and well-being, young people need to participate in physical activities that sports provide. I suppose a 20-subjects student has to forego such necessary physical exercises during many months of preparation for exams. 

And, really, when a matriculated student enters the job market, most employers don't expect or need applicants with 20 CXC passes.

I think 8 to 10 subjects would be reasonable, giving the young person time for study and play. I still remember a line from my "First Aid in English" primary school textbook: "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."

I agree with you completely.

Gilbakka posted:

Dondadda posted:

Gilly, tell me how many students have taken 20 subjects at CXC? I take it you were just pulling one on us by the inflating the number to 20!

QUOTE: "The Education Minister’s concerns came even as Guyanese students are pushing to write much more than eight subjects.  Demerara Waves Online News was told that a Queen’s College student is slated to write 22 CXC subjects this year. Information is that another student is already preparing to write 25 subjects in 2017.

Sources at the school have confirmed that a female student is preparing to write 22 CXC subjects, the highest number to be written in the country and the Caribbean according to available information.

Last year was not the first time had student had written 29 subjects, but when the country’s top performer passed with 20 ones, an examination of the matter was requested."

This creates a bunch of shallow dunces who study to the test and have no inkling what it means to know t he subject matter

Stormborn posted:

This creates a bunch of shallow dunces who study to the test and have no inkling what it means to know t he subject matter

I don't know if you can make this assessment Stormy. Unless you have direct information of the people who actually took those subjects.

Dondadda posted:

Gilbakka posted:

Come on, guys, let's put aside politics and look at the issue in practical terms from the standpoint of the high school student preparing for these exams. We were once high school students in the same situation too. 

If a student is committed to 20 subjects, imagine what his/her study timetable looks like for a 6-day week, allowing one day of rest. My experience as a student and teacher, coupled with information from my teacher friends, tells me that the 20-subjects student is carrying an unnecessarily heavy burden not only on the brain but also on the body. For good health and well-being, young people need to participate in physical activities that sports provide. I suppose a 20-subjects student has to forego such necessary physical exercises during many months of preparation for exams. 

And, really, when a matriculated student enters the job market, most employers don't expect or need applicants with 20 CXC passes.

I think 8 to 10 subjects would be reasonable, giving the young person time for study and play. I still remember a line from my "First Aid in English" primary school textbook: "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."

This is another Coalition dictator who is making an issue out of a non-issue. And Gilly, tell me how many students have taken 20 subjects at CXC? I take it you were just pulling one on us by the inflating the number to 20!

You are talking crap. His is the approach of a balanced formula of  any liberal arts program. You focus on a balanced curriculum aimed at teaching thinking rather than regurgitating the course material. Taken to the extreme it is what some liberal arts schools call the great books program. Instead of studying a wide variety of different subjects one focuses on the great books and so one learns to be an analytical thinker and is better prepared for a specialty.

ksazma posted:

Stormborn posted:

This creates a bunch of shallow dunces who study to the test and have no inkling what it means to know t he subject matter

I don't know if you can make this assessment Stormy. Unless you have direct information of the people who actually took those subjects.

I can say that because it addresses perspectives in the philosophy of education across time. It is the argument from the founding of the University grounded on the trivium to the quadrivium to the modern era or liberal arts. One prepares the student to think rather than to cram source data and regurgitate it. 

Stormborn posted:

ksazma posted:

Stormborn posted:

This creates a bunch of shallow dunces who study to the test and have no inkling what it means to know t he subject matter

I don't know if you can make this assessment Stormy. Unless you have direct information of the people who actually took those subjects.

I can say that because it addresses perspectives in the philosophy of education across time. It is the argument from the founding of the University grounded on the trivium to the quadrivium to the modern era or liberal arts. One prepares the student to think rather than to cram source data and regurgitate it. 

Fair enough. However, is there any evidence that these particular students crammed source data and then regurgitate it?

ksazma posted:

Stormborn posted:

ksazma posted:

Stormborn posted:

This creates a bunch of shallow dunces who study to the test and have no inkling what it means to know t he subject matter

I don't know if you can make this assessment Stormy. Unless you have direct information of the people who actually took those subjects.

I can say that because it addresses perspectives in the philosophy of education across time. It is the argument from the founding of the University grounded on the trivium to the quadrivium to the modern era or liberal arts. One prepares the student to think rather than to cram source data and regurgitate it. 

Fair enough. However, is there any evidence that these particular students crammed source data and then regurgitate it?

If these students are preparing for 20+ subjects of CXC, when are they going to have time to be children? Why are parents so stupid to push their children. What do they have to prove?

Is GCE tougher than CXC? How come we never heard someone passed 15 subjects GCE with all As?

skeldon_man posted:

If these students are preparing for 20+ subjects of CXC, when are they going to have time to be children? Why are parents so stupid to push their children. What do they have to prove?

Is GCE tougher than CXC? How come we never heard someone passed 15 subjects GCE with all As?

 

Maybe dem kids aint gat nothing else to do wid dem time. This may be better for them than just waste their time.

Regarding if anyone ever passed 15 subjects, check this out.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-23951363

Haroon Tariq: The boy who got 46 As in his exams

A teenager is being billed as Pakistan's brainiest student after passing 46 school exams with a grade of A or A* in the past three years, reports Charles Haviland in Islamabad.

As the boys and girls take their morning break at the exclusive Froebels International School, shouting, batting a cricket ball around or playing football, there's not much to distinguish Haroon Tariq from the crowd.

But the tall, bespectacled 18-year-old from Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has set a standard his schoolmates would have difficulty matching.

He has passed 46 school examinations with a grade of A or A* in the past three years, having sat rather more than 50 with two different exam boards, Cambridge International Examinations and Edexcel.

All have been international papers at O-level, international GCSE and A-level. The O-level has been obsolete in Britain since the 1980s but is still set internationally and taken by millions of students in countries including Pakistan.

 

"I did my O-levels in one year - usually people do it in three years," Haroon tells the BBC, explaining how he got ahead of his peers. He sat the first exams in 2010 while still attending the Army Public School in Peshawar in his home province.

That year he did 10 subjects, including the compulsory ones.

"I had two years left in my O-levels [study period] so I thought I want to do something special, something different from others.

"I wanted to excel away from those other students... so I took many subjects."

I actually love football, you know - I love Manchester CityHaroon Tariq

Moving to Islamabad because of his father's army career, Haroon piled on the O-levels and international GCSEs, scoring mostly A or A starred grades although there were a few Bs and Cs in there as well.

This year he started A-levels and got six grade As.

While some of the subjects are done on both boards there is still a big range - from sciences, English, Urdu and Islam to his favourite, world history.

"20th century, world wars, the Cold War - it also dates back four or five centuries - quite interesting," says Haroon, who receives a scholarship while the school also funds his tuition.

He did some of the exams through private study at home and some through the British Council but is now working mainly through his current school.

Its principal, Shahmina Kamal, a British-Pakistani from Manchester, says they have given him a lot of personal tuition but denies this is at the expense of less driven pupils.

"I think every student gets their own deserts and if they want hope we are there to support them as well," she says.

"I've got other children as well that I have been helping personally as well as our teachers - they go out of their way [to help].

"Any student that needs help - our school goes out of their way for them."

Haroon's record is not absolutely flawless. He started both Spanish and French but found them too time-consuming and gave them up.

But has he not locked himself in an ivory tower and missed out on non-academic pursuits? No, he says quickly.

"I actually love football, you know. I love Manchester City - I support them. I've been following them four or five years, I love the English Premier League."

And on the pitch "I'm a centre forward and I can also play on wings".

He finds time for the school debating society, too.

Haroon says his parents put no pressure on him at all - and that studying like this was entirely his own idea. After more A-levels in a year's time he hopes to get to a British university to study aeronautical engineering.

Disappointingly for Haroon and his teachers, Guinness World Records does not record academic qualifications. They have a feeling that if it did, he might be a world record holder.

Stormborn posted:

Gilbakka posted:

Come on, guys, let's put aside politics and look at the issue in practical terms from the standpoint of the high school student preparing for these exams. We were once high school students in the same situation too. 

If a student is committed to 20 subjects, imagine what his/her study timetable looks like for a 6-day week, allowing one day of rest. My experience as a student and teacher, coupled with information from my teacher friends, tells me that the 20-subjects student is carrying an unnecessarily heavy burden not only on the brain but also on the body. For good health and well-being, young people need to participate in physical activities that sports provide. I suppose a 20-subjects student has to forego such necessary physical exercises during many months of preparation for exams. 

And, really, when a matriculated student enters the job market, most employers don't expect or need applicants with 20 CXC passes.

I think 8 to 10 subjects would be reasonable, giving the young person time for study and play. I still remember a line from my "First Aid in English" primary school textbook: "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."

I agree with you completely.

No doubt, a Howard grad would agree with a path of least resistance. Look at the US top universities which cherishes high schools students with as many AP courses as possible with high grades. Why would the number of subjects matter to you or the incompetent PNC if the child can handle the load?

I think that there are several issues here. The first is should the government be dictating to students and thus to parents the educational achievement level of students considering that intellectual levels and abilities of students are varied, that access to jobs, university placements and scholarships are all depend primarily on academic achievement, though some scholarships and university entrants are asked to have a rounded profile. Where is the evidence that these students do not have a life, that they do not participate in sports or do the things that all young people do? Where is the evidence students are not successful in post secondary the or in the workingworld,  that these students do not make a successful transition to the world of work.

the second issue is the curriculum. Should we blame the student for the knowledge, skills and attitude objectives of the curriculum that emphasizes regurgitation of facts instead of thinking, issue resolution, problem solving, etc. The is the responsibility of the ministry of education and students are just reacting to what is expected of them. My understanding is that the SBA was intended to help in this area, but I am still to be convinced about this.

third, lots of people and organizations herald the benefits of a liberal arts education. Well, I know of lots of university graduates in liberal arts who are unemployed and underemployed while the graduates from technical colleges and specialized programmes enjoy a higher level of employment and higher salaries. Parents want what is in the best interest of their children and often children are highly motivated to achieve because they know the value of achievement. How many of us who attended university were required to take liberal arts courses in our programmes, prepared for and passed the exams and really cannot remember lots from the course? Many, I think. The secondary program now provides opportunities for different streams, it is not just academic and some of the students whonwritec20'subjects do write tests in non liberal arts or academic programmes (science, maths, etc)

fourth, is this going to be a universal decision by all the countries where students are writing the CXC or just students from Guyana. If it is just for Guyanese students, then the government will be placing Guyanese students at a disadvantage for placement in foreign universities and accessing scholarships.

fifth, Who will be involved in making this decision. Will all stakeholders be involved and how will they be involved. Whose rights will supersede? The rights of parents and children, the rights of the government as expressed through the ministry of education, the employer, the universitY, etc?

fifth, what is  the educational potential of students? Where is the evidence that writing more that 10'subjects is harmful to a student in terms of his or her development. We know that in any large poputlation, the bell curve becomes relevant. How to you meet the needs of these students, how do test these individuals or determine their intellectual lever. Given that the CXC is not a really good test, it is all that there is for the vast majority of students, so that is what is being used. 

Until we can really subscribe to and define egalitarian systems of education where all students are allowed to excel in their area of intelligence and valued for that achievement in a community of employers, governments, learners and teachers, then the government should stay away from making a decision on limiting the number of courses students can take.

the minister and ministry should concentrate on developing a highly effective education system since they teach basic recall and at even that they do not do that well for at the national exams at grades 4, 6, 9 and CXC, in Maths and English more than half the students fail,every year.

ksazma posted:

Stormborn posted:

ksazma posted:

Stormborn posted:

This creates a bunch of shallow dunces who study to the test and have no inkling what it means to know t he subject matter

I don't know if you can make this assessment Stormy. Unless you have direct information of the people who actually took those subjects.

I can say that because it addresses perspectives in the philosophy of education across time. It is the argument from the founding of the University grounded on the trivium to the quadrivium to the modern era or liberal arts. One prepares the student to think rather than to cram source data and regurgitate it. 

Fair enough. However, is there any evidence that these particular students crammed source data and then regurgitate it?

It is a matter of time six courses in a college semester is deemed the max because somewhere along the road there was an assessment of the time and course material possible to cover over that time. I did 10 GCE and I was up until two. I know I am no fool because nation wide there were very few who took ten and passed ten. I cannot imagine doing 20. That would mean fairly anemic coverage of the subject matter or nonsense subjects.

Drugb posted:

Stormborn posted:

Gilbakka posted:

Come on, guys, let's put aside politics and look at the issue in practical terms from the standpoint of the high school student preparing for these exams. We were once high school students in the same situation too. 

If a student is committed to 20 subjects, imagine what his/her study timetable looks like for a 6-day week, allowing one day of rest. My experience as a student and teacher, coupled with information from my teacher friends, tells me that the 20-subjects student is carrying an unnecessarily heavy burden not only on the brain but also on the body. For good health and well-being, young people need to participate in physical activities that sports provide. I suppose a 20-subjects student has to forego such necessary physical exercises during many months of preparation for exams. 

And, really, when a matriculated student enters the job market, most employers don't expect or need applicants with 20 CXC passes.

I think 8 to 10 subjects would be reasonable, giving the young person time for study and play. I still remember a line from my "First Aid in English" primary school textbook: "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."

I agree with you completely.

No doubt, a Howard grad would agree with a path of least resistance. Look at the US top universities which cherishes high schools students with as many AP courses as possible with high grades. Why would the number of subjects matter to you or the incompetent PNC if the child can handle the load?

I  also went to U of Penn jackass. And I transferred to  Howard from University of Toronto and as I know it, Howard was tough one because it made the man.  You simpletons speak from no intellectual grounding about any of the subject matter you comment on yet have the audacity to spout rotten biliousness with ease.Also, most people who impact the world....yes the geniuses... had difficult time  in school.

And Howard produced many of people that changed your life. Without Howard there would be no civil rights. Its scholars among others from historical black colleges  like Howard. Give you the opportunity to be here. Chew on that you stupid bigot.

Howard has trained more engineers and physicians and dentists not to mention educators from the third world  than any other University in the world. That is why it is nicknamed the mecca. It is where the world come for  high learning. I came to it not because I could not have gotten in elsewhere. I came because it was where many in my family went

And let me be clear if you do not get it, you are a educated racist moron; you  do nothing to clarify anything here since your time on the site but act as a troll. Show us you can think before you start shooting your silly mouth off

Leave it to the government to dictate for the children without parents input. Once again Burnham dictatorship is introduced to limit the children's academic potential. Granger want these children to spend their precious time to stand in the scorching sun to salute his old ass, and perhaps to join his army. He might as well send them to Africa to study voodoo with the extra time. 

Stormborn posted:

Drugb posted:

Stormborn posted:

Gilbakka posted:

Come on, guys, let's put aside politics and look at the issue in practical terms from the standpoint of the high school student preparing for these exams. We were once high school students in the same situation too. 

If a student is committed to 20 subjects, imagine what his/her study timetable looks like for a 6-day week, allowing one day of rest. My experience as a student and teacher, coupled with information from my teacher friends, tells me that the 20-subjects student is carrying an unnecessarily heavy burden not only on the brain but also on the body. For good health and well-being, young people need to participate in physical activities that sports provide. I suppose a 20-subjects student has to forego such necessary physical exercises during many months of preparation for exams. 

And, really, when a matriculated student enters the job market, most employers don't expect or need applicants with 20 CXC passes.

I think 8 to 10 subjects would be reasonable, giving the young person time for study and play. I still remember a line from my "First Aid in English" primary school textbook: "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."

I agree with you completely.

No doubt, a Howard grad would agree with a path of least resistance. Look at the US top universities which cherishes high schools students with as many AP courses as possible with high grades. Why would the number of subjects matter to you or the incompetent PNC if the child can handle the load?

I  also went to U of Penn jackass. And I transferred to  Howard from University of Toronto and as I know it, Howard was tough one because it made the man.  You simpletons speak from no intellectual grounding about any of the subject matter you comment on yet have the audacity to spout rotten biliousness with ease.Also, most people who impact the world....yes the geniuses... had difficult time  in school.

And Howard produced many of people that changed your life. Without Howard there would be no civil rights. Its scholars among others from historical black colleges  like Howard. Give you the opportunity to be here. Chew on that you stupid bigot.

Howard has trained more engineers and physicians and dentists not to mention educators from the third world  than any other University in the world. That is why it is nicknamed the mecca. It is where the world come for  high learning. I came to it not because I could not have gotten in elsewhere. I came because it was where many in my family went

And let me be clear if you do not get it, you are a educated racist moron; you  do nothing to clarify anything here since your time on the site but act as a troll. Show us you can think before you start shooting your silly mouth off

If you are a graduate from U Penn, congrats! Any other GNI ers with an Ivy League education?

Stormborn posted:

I  also went to U of Penn jackass. And I transferred to  Howard from University of Toronto and as I know it, Howard was tough one because it made the man.  You simpletons speak from no intellectual grounding about any of the subject matter you comment on yet have the audacity to spout rotten biliousness with ease.Also, most people who impact the world....yes the geniuses... had difficult time  in school.

And Howard produced many of people that changed your life. Without Howard there would be no civil rights. Its scholars among others from historical black colleges  like Howard. Give you the opportunity to be here. Chew on that you stupid bigot.

Howard has trained more engineers and physicians and dentists not to mention educators from the third world  than any other University in the world. That is why it is nicknamed the mecca. It is where the world come for  high learning. I came to it not because I could not have gotten in elsewhere. I came because it was where many in my family went

And let me be clear if you do not get it, you are a educated racist moron; you  do nothing to clarify anything here since your time on the site but act as a troll. Show us you can think before you start shooting your silly mouth off

It looks like I touch a nerve whenever I mention second rate Howard. Now you claim to also attend U of T and Penn. Good for you, however what was the point of all that education if the end result was a life of drudgery behind a dollar store counter?

I have nothing against Howard but the ratings speak for itself, only the rejects end up there these days. In your time it might have had a better reputation. 

skeldon_man posted:

ksazma posted:

Stormborn posted:

ksazma posted:

Stormborn posted:

This creates a bunch of shallow dunces who study to the test and have no inkling what it means to know t he subject matter

I don't know if you can make this assessment Stormy. Unless you have direct information of the people who actually took those subjects.

I can say that because it addresses perspectives in the philosophy of education across time. It is the argument from the founding of the University grounded on the trivium to the quadrivium to the modern era or liberal arts. One prepares the student to think rather than to cram source data and regurgitate it. 

Fair enough. However, is there any evidence that these particular students crammed source data and then regurgitate it?

If these students are preparing for 20+ subjects of CXC, when are they going to have time to be children? Why are parents so stupid to push their children. What do they have to prove?

Is GCE tougher than CXC? How come we never heard someone passed 15 subjects GCE with all As?

 

Yes, GCE is tougher than CXC.  I taught CXC before migrating to North America to attend university.  The CXC curriculum is shallow and wide. Many of the courses have a component that include term grades as part of the overall grade and the actual exam is watered down. In English, what was one subject in GCE is two subjects in CXC.

The class teacher has a say in the overall grade.  I used to have to grade my students papers and send it in to the Ministry of Education.  The format and curriculum of the exam has evolved over the years so I am not sure how it's done now.

Drugb posted:

Stormborn posted:

I  also went to U of Penn jackass. And I transferred to  Howard from University of Toronto and as I know it, Howard was tough one because it made the man.  You simpletons speak from no intellectual grounding about any of the subject matter you comment on yet have the audacity to spout rotten biliousness with ease.Also, most people who impact the world....yes the geniuses... had difficult time  in school.

And Howard produced many of people that changed your life. Without Howard there would be no civil rights. Its scholars among others from historical black colleges  like Howard. Give you the opportunity to be here. Chew on that you stupid bigot.

Howard has trained more engineers and physicians and dentists not to mention educators from the third world  than any other University in the world. That is why it is nicknamed the mecca. It is where the world come for  high learning. I came to it not because I could not have gotten in elsewhere. I came because it was where many in my family went

And let me be clear if you do not get it, you are a educated racist moron; you  do nothing to clarify anything here since your time on the site but act as a troll. Show us you can think before you start shooting your silly mouth off

It looks like I touch a nerve whenever I mention second rate Howard. Now you claim to also attend U of T and Penn. Good for you, however what was the point of all that education if the end result was a life of drudgery behind a dollar store counter?

I have nothing against Howard but the ratings speak for itself, only the rejects end up there these days. In your time it might have had a better reputation. 

I see more celebrities and politicians and leaders in here and the world from there that challenges this nation than any place else. That is what a second rate school does. And again I remind you, there would be no place in this country for you without that school.

I am in a dollar store because you are a stupid troll. If indeed I were and you know it you are welcome to tell the rest of the pople here where it is located. Plus, if I had a dollar store it would be giving me more money than you make anyways.

Tell errol or his son that it is for rejects My wife went there as well and she went to Andover for high school so she could have gone anywhere. You are a low life refugee who do not know or appreciate the history of that school so you as usual speak with that particular biliousness that consider anything black to be bad.

Stormborn posted:

I see more celebrities and politicians and leaders in here and the world from there that challenges this nation than any place else. That is what a second rate school does. And again I remind you, there would be no place in this country for you without that school.

I am in a dollar store because you are a stupid troll. If indeed I were and you know it you are welcome to tell the rest of the pople here where it is located. Plus, if I had a dollar store it would be giving me more money than you make anyways.

Tell errol or his son that it is for rejects My wife went there as well and she went to Andover for high school so she could have gone anywhere. You are a low life refugee who do not know or appreciate the history of that school so you as usual speak with that particular biliousness that consider anything black to be bad.

You continue to live in the past, Howard is no longer the factory for churning out memorable persons. Even the Blacks now view Howard as a last resort for a safety school so the dredges of society end up there.  No doubt Howard grads from 50 years back paved the way for many of us today, including yourself. But now and even in your time there it had lost its shine. 

Stormborn posted:

It is a matter of time six courses in a college semester is deemed the max because somewhere along the road there was an assessment of the time and course material possible to cover over that time. I did 10 GCE and I was up until two. I know I am no fool because nation wide there were very few who took ten and passed ten. I cannot imagine doing 20. That would mean fairly anemic coverage of the subject matter or nonsense subjects.

While not disagreeing with you the fact that kids are accomplishing these levels mean that they are not insurmountable. Nonetheless, Roopnarine was not seeking to allow them more time for their reduced number of subjects. He was seeking to replace some of those subject times with other curriculum activities.

ksazma posted:

Stormborn posted:

It is a matter of time six courses in a college semester is deemed the max because somewhere along the road there was an assessment of the time and course material possible to cover over that time. I did 10 GCE and I was up until two. I know I am no fool because nation wide there were very few who took ten and passed ten. I cannot imagine doing 20. That would mean fairly anemic coverage of the subject matter or nonsense subjects.

While not disagreeing with you the fact that kids are accomplishing these levels mean that they are not insurmountable. Nonetheless, Roopnarine was not seeking to allow them more time for their reduced number of subjects. He was seeking to replace some of those subject times with other curriculum activities.

Lets be clear about something...with any subject, there is a cut off point in coverage because the amount of material that encompasses the discipline is exhaustive. Covering 20 subjects is covering 20 fragments of these subjects.

 I am sure he is not an imprudent man. I am sure he will look for advice on the changes. When I was in school our trajectory is either the arts or the science. Anyone thinking of med school etc focused on subjects that suit that direction ie mathematics, physics, biology, english and at least 3 others.

Additionally, there were sports and craft. We did wood work book binding etc and there were cooking classes etc. I think that is a well rounded curriculum. I still bind books, do calligraphy and build all sorts of wood working projects inclusive of pen making all because of that little extra in our school. 

Drugb posted:

Stormborn posted:

I see more celebrities and politicians and leaders in here and the world from there that challenges this nation than any place else. That is what a second rate school does. And again I remind you, there would be no place in this country for you without that school.

I am in a dollar store because you are a stupid troll. If indeed I were and you know it you are welcome to tell the rest of the pople here where it is located. Plus, if I had a dollar store it would be giving me more money than you make anyways.

Tell errol or his son that it is for rejects My wife went there as well and she went to Andover for high school so she could have gone anywhere. You are a low life refugee who do not know or appreciate the history of that school so you as usual speak with that particular biliousness that consider anything black to be bad.

You continue to live in the past, Howard is no longer the factory for churning out memorable persons. Even the Blacks now view Howard as a last resort for a safety school so the dredges of society end up there.  No doubt Howard grads from 50 years back paved the way for many of us today, including yourself. But now and even in your time there it had lost its shine. 

Last I check it was still churning out leaders. I can name at least a dozen you will see on TV tonight.

Bibi Haniffa posted:

The Howard of today does not have the caliber of many other American Universities.  But I am not going to beat down this school as my grandfather's cousin Dr. Nankumar Singh, also cousin of Dr. Balwant Singh, studied at Howard University College of Medicine in the 1960s.  In his old age he is still an internist at Veterans Hospital in DC.  Ya know him Stormy??

Howard is more than a center of academia. It is a culture, a philosophical direction. It is known for producing people with a purpose. Its medical school still produces more minority doctors than anyplace else. In any country of the world you could start its its bison chant and here will be someone chanting back. It is not simply a university it is a movement for a better more responsible world. Most chose to go there because of what it means and continue to mean. On campus you are in a cultural ethos...fashion, art, music. Its students are leaders in every area of arts and science.

In my time...you are crazy... absolutely uninformed and silly. I see people after me still excelling so I do not know how I became a marker except as you stupid people conjure up things in your head.

Looks like Howard has something to hide as it refused to fill out a a statistical survey in 2013:

Howard is listed as a "school that refused to fill out the U.S. News statistical survey" during our winter and spring 2013 data collection.

Why Howard University Fell in the Best Colleges Rankings

During Sidney A. Ribeau’s presidency, the school’s rank declined sharply due to many factors.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Howard University

Sidney A. Ribeau, president of Howard University in Washington, D.C., recently announced his retirement from the post he had held since August 2008. In some of the news coverage about Ribeau's sudden retirement, one factor that was cited was Howard's decline in the U.S. News Best Colleges rankings.

Howard's rank fell sharply during Ribeau's presidency. In the 2010 edition of Best Colleges, published roughly one year after he took office, Howard ranked 96th in the National Universities category. In the new 2014 edition, Howard fell 22 spots to No. 142, having previously been ranked at No. 120 in the 2013 edition. 

There were many factors behind Howard's rankings decline during Ribeau's time in office. The school dropped from being in the top 100 in the 2010 edition to today's position because its ranking scores in academic peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, student selectivity, faculty resources, alumni giving and graduation rate performance all fell relative to other schools in the National Universities rankings. 

 

The indicators where Howard's performance deteriorated since 2010 account for a total of 82.5 percent of the U.S. News ranking model. In other words, Howard experienced declines in almost all of the key academic indicators used by U.S. News, which resulted in its drop in the rankings. 

In the current rankings, Howard is listed as a "school that refused to fill out the U.S. News statistical survey" during our winter and spring 2013 data collection. In Howard's case, we gave the school credit for all the ranking data that it did report to U.S. News during the previous data collection in 2012. 

This meant that almost all the factors used in Howard's latest ranking were based on its previous year's data. However, Howard didn't report data used to compute the alumni giving rate and financial resources per student ranking variables to U.S. News for two consecutive years. For schools that skip two years of reporting data in those two ranking factors, U.S. News estimates those data points. 

Therefore, Howard's decline in the most recent rankings was mainly due to its administrative inability or refusal to report its most recent data about itself to U.S. News. 

The Washington Post cited other reasons that could have been behind Ribeau's sudden departure, including Moody's Investors Service's recent downgrading of Howard's revenue bonds to a Baa1 rating from A3. 

Moody's said that Howard's outlook was now "negative" and said "the downgrade is driven by pressures on all of the university's major revenue sources. The negative outlook reflects an aggressive Fiscal Year 2014 budget that may prove difficult to implement in light of pressure on hospital operations, continuing soft enrollment, and a slow start to implementing planned efficiencies."

Also students give it bad reviews:

http://www.studentsreview.com/DC/HU_comments.html

“DO NOT COME TO THIS UNIVERSITY!! IT ISJournalism

skeldon_man posted:

ksazma posted:

Stormborn posted:

ksazma posted:

Stormborn posted:

This creates a bunch of shallow dunces who study to the test and have no inkling what it means to know t he subject matter

I don't know if you can make this assessment Stormy. Unless you have direct information of the people who actually took those subjects.

I can say that because it addresses perspectives in the philosophy of education across time. It is the argument from the founding of the University grounded on the trivium to the quadrivium to the modern era or liberal arts. One prepares the student to think rather than to cram source data and regurgitate it. 

Fair enough. However, is there any evidence that these particular students crammed source data and then regurgitate it?

If these students are preparing for 20+ subjects of CXC, when are they going to have time to be children? Why are parents so stupid to push their children. What do they have to prove?

Is GCE tougher than CXC? How come we never heard someone passed 15 subjects GCE with all As?

 

Guyanese kids these days are super smart.  I am not sure they offered 15 subjects at GCE back then, anyone knows??  There were some 'nerds' back in my time who would have taken them all at QC

Bibi Haniffa posted:

skeldon_man posted:

ksazma posted:

Stormborn posted:

ksazma posted:

Stormborn posted:

This creates a bunch of shallow dunces who study to the test and have no inkling what it means to know t he subject matter

I don't know if you can make this assessment Stormy. Unless you have direct information of the people who actually took those subjects.

I can say that because it addresses perspectives in the philosophy of education across time. It is the argument from the founding of the University grounded on the trivium to the quadrivium to the modern era or liberal arts. One prepares the student to think rather than to cram source data and regurgitate it. 

Fair enough. However, is there any evidence that these particular students crammed source data and then regurgitate it?

If these students are preparing for 20+ subjects of CXC, when are they going to have time to be children? Why are parents so stupid to push their children. What do they have to prove?

Is GCE tougher than CXC? How come we never heard someone passed 15 subjects GCE with all As?

 

Yes, GCE is tougher than CXC.  I taught CXC before migrating to North America to attend university.  The CXC curriculum is shallow and wide. Many of the courses have a component that include term grades as part of the overall grade and the actual exam is watered down. In English, what was one subject in GCE is two subjects in CXC.

The class teacher has a say in the overall grade.  I used to have to grade my students papers and send it in to the Ministry of Education.  The format and curriculum of the exam has evolved over the years so I am not sure how it's done now.

 

Bibi, you must have taught some of the brightest and best leaders in GY   Btw, my eldest is starting college this year at NYU!! 

alena06 posted:

skeldon_man posted:

ksazma posted:

Stormborn posted:

ksazma posted:

Stormborn posted:

This creates a bunch of shallow dunces who study to the test and have no inkling what it means to know t he subject matter

I don't know if you can make this assessment Stormy. Unless you have direct information of the people who actually took those subjects.

I can say that because it addresses perspectives in the philosophy of education across time. It is the argument from the founding of the University grounded on the trivium to the quadrivium to the modern era or liberal arts. One prepares the student to think rather than to cram source data and regurgitate it. 

Fair enough. However, is there any evidence that these particular students crammed source data and then regurgitate it?

If these students are preparing for 20+ subjects of CXC, when are they going to have time to be children? Why are parents so stupid to push their children. What do they have to prove?

Is GCE tougher than CXC? How come we never heard someone passed 15 subjects GCE with all As?

 

Guyanese kids these days are super smart.  I am not sure they offered 15 subjects at GCE back then, anyone knows??  There were some 'nerds' back in my time who would have taken them all at QC

Gyal - weren't you one of these "nerds" at this school???  Hey, being the top student at the top school is no small feat.  Give yourself more credit!!  And congrats to your daughter.  NYU is a good good school!!!!!

asj posted:

Another PNC/AFC dictator seems in the making, tell me that he is just making himself a fool, maybe not a fool but perceivably an a h

I wonder, to each their own capacity.  What business it is of the Minister that a QC girl wants to write 12 subjects.  Ravi Dev daughter did it and passed all with As.

I would understand the minimum to be written should be 5 subjects and while in many school they are writing 3 and 4 subjects. This is where the Minista should focus.

Steeups!

KishanB posted:

asj posted:

Another PNC/AFC dictator seems in the making, tell me that he is just making himself a fool, maybe not a fool but perceivably an a h

I wonder, to each their own capacity.  What business it is of the Minister that a QC girl wants to write 12 subjects.  Ravi Dev daughter did it and passed all with As.

I would understand the minimum to be written should be 5 subjects and while in many school they are writing 3 and 4 subjects. This is where the Minista should focus.

 

Steeups!

Policy is always set by the state. It is the ministers decision to forward a plan t hat would best serve the educational advancement of students in the state. If he belies the push to take subjects is to the detriment of a broad based education program that serves us best. I think he is right. A curriculum should be balanced at these lower levels of education where the student has not yet formed specific ideas about their talents and interests.

A  student's life should be a balance of curricula and extracurricular activities to mold both the analytic and creative aspects of life. Obviously, the minister needs to have additional input from specialists in the area but he is well within his portfolio to interrogate and suggest improvement to education. After all, that is his job.