 With numerous case studies in the past and in recent times, one wonders why our education system, as it relates to student athletes (which they practically are), remains dubiously in line for manipulation of the wrong kind. Without doubt athletes the world over have, and continue to receive preferential treatment in all forms, especially as it relates to academics.
In the United Sates of America, an haven for outstanding athletes,
there have been numerous stories of academic fabrication and student
athlete pampering in the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic
Association) setting, even in high schools. However as in many
scenarios, a comparison between 'the land of opportunities' (USA) and
'the land of wood and water' (Jamaica) often tips the scale too much in
one direction, which I am sad to say is not in our favor.
But with only three universities on the island and an increasing focus
in getting our student athletes a seem ably better opportunity at a
tertiary education in the so called 'land of opportunities' (USA), the
question remains. Can we afford to lower our academic standards to
accommodate some of our student athletes who, find education a much
arduous challenge than that of competing in their respective sports?
We have heard so many unfortunate stories of our athletes losing
their way overseas. Some times due to financial duress, but it can also
be said that some is also due to being given academic lee way from
'yaad' (here in Jamaica).
The recent aberration where four former significant pieces of Calabar's 2005 Manning Cup and Oliver Shield championship puzzle: top sweeper Robert Palmer, midfield ace Ramone Palmer, goal scoring forward Anthony Grant, and Akeem Bennett
all made an unusual journey from Red Hills Road up to the long stretch
of Hope Road to controversially change colors from green and black to
blue and white, is a prime example of what is wrong with our education
system as it relates to sports, in my opinion of course.
Based on creditable sources the young men were denied entry into the
school's increasingly competitive sixth form system. It is understood
that they were given opportunities to meet the requirements after being
denied last year, but still failed on their second attempts. Also o add
to the academic deficiency is the talk of indiscipline amongst them.
However obviously not fazed, that didn't stop Jamaica College from
gobbling them up and even paying half of their school fees, if my
source is not imprudent. But different schools have different academic
standards in Jamaica.
It is no secret that some athletes who happens to attend school, don't
even attend most classes but make it their point of duty to never miss
training. Having different standards might be harmless to some, but too
much comfort and assurance often leads to complacency, which could be
the case with the aforementioned footballers. It probably was the case
with some of their predecessors and likely will be the case for those
that will inevitably follow in their footsteps, knowing that if they
slip up at one stop, then another will more than likely accept them
with open arms.
Every public secondary school in Jamaica now falls under one umbrella.
Technical and comprehensive schools are a thing of the past. Which begs
the question as to why some schools like JC has lower academic
standards than that of bitter rivals and all boy counterparts Calabar
High? The latter will perhaps have competitive reasoning as to why that
is so, taken into consideration the competitive nature and pride
involved, but thats besides the point.
ISSA must do better
Nothing has been deemed foul in that scenario up to this point, besides
it is a common practice and ISSA (Inter Secondary School Association)
has no control over a school's academic policy. But as recent as last
year, Spanish Town High were suspended for one year for violating ISSA
rules when they were found guilty of using ineligible players. Those
players were said to have repeated the fifth form (grade 11) more than
once, and were booted from the second round of the Manning Cup as a
result.
That case is just as microcosm of the magnitude of high school
sports breaches, as for years it has been rampantly rumored that high
school administrators have consistently forged grades or turned a blind
eye to academic deficiencies in order for student-athletes to live past
their stipulated school years in pursuit of quenching a school's thirst
for winning.
In an attempt to quell on going concerns of breaches as it relates
to grade assessment of student athletes, ISSA (the governing body for
all organised sports at the high school level in Jamaica), decided
prior to the beginning of last year's school boy football season, to be
more proactive in its approach to mitigate illegal offenses. Spanish
Town, the 2001 Manning Cup finalists were contenders and who knows how
many champions and contenders bend the rules in pursuit of glory at the
demise of the youths of our future.
However late it may be, ISSA deserves at least some credit for
validating the stringency of the minimal academic standard of a student
athlete which is averaging at least 45 per cent in four subjects.
However checks by this writer with the then Clemente Radcliffe led
organisation revealed that only 30 out of approximately 100 schools in
the island were randomly checked and assurance was given that the
procedure went very well with no breaches. However ISSA weren't the
ones who unveil the Spanish Town transgression, as they admitted that
the school itself blew the whistle
Could the minor problems faced in the procedure which Radcliffe
labeled misunderstandings, be accounted for this? A lack of funding,
manpower and unfamiliarity were labeled detriments. However it is
somewhat appalling that players could repeat the same form numerous
times without the governing body of secondary school sports knowing of
it.
But given the inefficient state of ISSA as an organization what should
one expect? When there is an anemic focus on sports, despite it being
one of a few real legitimate sources of supreme national pride, these
things are bound to happen.
An high school education sets the premise for understanding the role of
professionalism as an athlete and so many of them have been denied and
have failed to capitalize on given opportunities in the professional
world of sports.
In order for us as a nation to stop our athletes from falling by the
wayside due to intellectual ineptitude beyond the high school stage,
especially on scholarships overseas, we cannot continue to lower the
academic standard too much or give student athletes free passes with
their athletic prowess being the ticket of admission.
Mark you, the balance is never easy to strike, however it is all about
focus and effort. Virtues that should be also adopted comprehensively
by those who directly or indirectly are responsible for the academic
assessment of our student athletes. Which should also include ISSA, no
matter how much of a national problem it is.
Jermaine Wright is co owner and Editor for JaSports Multimedia Co
Ltd. He has written numerous articles for JaSports.net, the Sunday
Herald and Sport Globe Publication. He can be reached at
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