Dear Editor,

As Glanvilles Secondary School marked its 15th anniversary, one would expect such a milestone to be acknowledged with the respect and appreciation it deserves. Yet, it was disheartening to witness the glaring absence of key figures — including the Minister of Education and the Director of Education — from the celebration. Is this not the same Ministry that claims to be committed to the holistic development of education across our nation?

I ask the Ministry directly: Do you know how the additional buildings that now house key classes came about? Do you understand how the hydroponics facility was established? Do you know who sponsored what, and who donated time, resources, and money to see Glanvilles grow? It is time for transparency and honesty.

How many of our senior education officials have truly shown interest in the development of this institution? This is a school that is never prioritized — not even for the most basic of student needs. It took an unacceptable amount of time to resolve an issue just to ensure students could sit their CXC multiple choice exams online. Is this what valuing students looks like?

Let us not ignore the efforts of the principal and his staff. These dedicated professionals have gone above and beyond to create a nurturing, comfortable learning environment. They have sought donors, installed fans, sourced equipment, secured supplies, and even run a breakfast program to ensure students are fed and ready to learn. Yet, how often has the Ministry stopped to commend their commitment and success?

Glanvilles is uniquely positioned to work with students at Level 3 — students who benefit from more hands-on, individualized attention. But instead of building on this potential, we now hear talk of dismantling it — robbing these children of the specialized attention they need, and moving them into schools already facing serious infrastructural challenges.

At the same time, institutions like the GARD Center, which have been pillars of practical, skills-based education for years — offering training in hydroponics, agriculture, and other trades — go unrecognized and unsupported. Why not take a bold, visionary step? Convert the GARD Center into a national School of Agriculture. Promote innovation. Encourage self-sustainability. Recognize what has been built with love and dedication.

Why not allow Glanvilles to continue its work with the students who are too often turned away elsewhere — the ones struggling academically and behaviorally — the ones most in need of patient, committed educators? Instead, we face a scenario where resources will still be consumed regardless — teachers must still be paid, buses must still run, ink and paper must still be used, and printers still need maintenance. If that’s the case, why break what is already working?

Are we going to watch yet another promising school, built on vision and sacrifice, become a shell of what it could be — another beautiful building left to rot under bureaucracy?

We say we love our students. We say we care about education. But love without action is lip service. It’s time the Ministry of Education proves otherwise.

Yours sincerely,
A Concerned Citizen