Education

By James D. Williams, Jr.

It is time we recognized the need to move the teachers up to the pay scale they so desperatly deserve.

So what exactly can we do? We know some schools need repair and others need new schools but by lowering class sizes will it really make a difference?

SOLUTION

First as I stated before we need to increase the pay of teachers. They can not survive on the current salary and so we constantly have the revolving door problem in the teaching system. By giving more money we are investing in the future of our country by letting teachers know we trust them.

By doing this we also must make teachers more accountable as well as the school. If you get paid well then you are expected to give results. I have no problems believing that our teachers can do a fantastic job they just need a commitment from us.

Also the class size issue is very interesting. Most politicians say if you cut down the siz of a class usually by 4 students you will make it easier for the teacher. I do not agree with this philosophy. I have seen schools where class sizes can reach 36 children but all the children pass and most with high grades. Interestingly enough these are the size of classes at a private school. This tends to prove my point that size of the class does not matter but the atmosphere and the teacher do.

If we can invest in the teachers we will see a cut down on teachers leaving to the private sector and create a better education system in the end.