Sharon Roache-Lewis - Elgin Taylor

It is perhaps fair to assume that there may not be many persons who see a link between grade five and the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT). However, according to Sharon Roache-Lewis, a grade-five teacher at St Catherine Primary School in Spanish Town, this connection is a crucial one.

"Well, the preparation really begins at grade one, but the bulk of the work is done at grade five. This is so because most of the content of the GSAT is drawn from the grade-five curriculum, and this is especially true of social studies," she informed THE STAR.

She further explained that the grade-five content is fairly wide in terms of the topics to be covered while at the same time bemoaning the limited time frame in which to accomplish this task.

Her assessment regime consists of the mandatory monthly tests in the various subject areas, and other forms of measurements, for example, research paper, practical applications like making weather objects in social studies, recording observations in science or drawing three dimensional figures in mathematics.

She reported that generally the students are responding well to her teaching, but noted that she has to be constantly reminding them of the reason why they attend school and that without education their "corner is dark."

In terms of challenges within the school system, Roache-Lewis said she was peeved by what she described as "distractions" which have been competing for the attention of the students. These, she noted, consist of technological gadgets like the computer and various types of gaming devices.

"They do not have the focus like students of former years. These gadgets seem to be taking all their attention. They may sit at the computers but are not doing any productive work; they are more into games and chatrooms," she wailed.

She said that cable television is another of the major distraction and that because of it the students fail to watch the news.

"They can tell you what is on the different channels, but they cannot tell you what is happening in their own country," she stated.

The experienced educator went on to endorse the recent proposal by the minister of education to reintroduce civics into the school's curriculum as she believes it will serve to heighten their awareness of local matters, and encourage them to read for information.

She holds a teacher's diploma and a bachelors degree from The Mico University College and the University of the West Indies, respectively.

She joined the staff at her present school on September 1, 1985. She said that she will continue to urge her charges to reach for the stars and work to the best of their abilities.