Caribbean Report 27-12-2000

Abstract

Description

Part 2 Series of Special Programme on Why Boys are Underachieving

Table of Contents

2. (00:28-15:23) It has been revealed that 1 in 4 graduates from the University of the West Indies was male . As a result, it was being questioned if the University was where it should be in the 21st century. Chancellor Ramphal pointed out that there was a high enrolment and graduation of women in sociology and the humanities. Also, how many sociologists are needed? This was countered by the argument that men always dominate in the sciences, but there were never too many of them. Steve Williams felt that boys were ridiculed, beaten in his country. He felt the need to separate the learning process of boys and girls. Verna Jules argued that whether in boys only schools or mixed sex schools, they still lagged behind. Hector Wynter pointed out that there was a greater sense of responsibility among girls than men as girls were taught house chores early by mothers, whilst the boys went to play. Dr Verna Jules from Trinidad and Tobago said that they had started a World Bank project in creating a series of pre-schools and linking them to community centres. However, there was still the need to put in resources to stimulate students and to prepare them to the next level of education. Some changes being done included the retooling of teachers. In Jamaica, it was argued that the government was not spending enough money at kindergarten and primary school level education. Chancellor Ramphal felt that the performance balance needs to be looked at from different angles, and not only from the government aspect. Sociologists and psychologists argued that many single female parents were heading households, so these homes lacked a male model. Even in some households with both parents, it was felt that the male role could be strengthened.
1. Headlines: (00:00-00:27)

Keywords

Citation