Literacy Standards for Pro Footballers

Treasure Beach Forum: TB Runnin's: Literacy Standards for Pro Footballers
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Comments Solicited on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 06:42 am: Edit Post

We watched a match when we visited Treasure Beach about a month ago. One young man whose name I will not mention was particularly talented, perhaps good enough to turn professional. When we asked about him, we were told he could not read or write - meaning he was functionally illiterate - and this was what kept him from going pro. Seems more than one scout had spotted him and had wanted to use him, but the lack of literacy made it impossible.

Assuming this is true, and I believe it is, would it not be an excellent service if BREDS started some sort of "school" for this young man and others like him? From talking to the guys, it was clear he was not the only fine player being held back because he dropped out of school years ago.

For footballers to think they may go pro and be paid millions only to discover Treasure Beach is as far as they can go must be devastating.

I see kids where I live thinking they can escape the ghetto - not implying TB is a ghetto - by becoming sports stars. When their bubbles burst, too many of them turn to crime such as selling drugs as a "good" back up plan to earning the big money they were envisioning if they became a national star.

Any comments?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By D' Don on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 09:27 am: Edit Post

Majority of the national footballers are jus like him, illiterate, so in football its not who can read or write, is who actually have good talent, so it much more than that, so don't let these so call scout fool you, and learning to read or write for an average treasure beach youth isn't all that difficult they have the basics, thanks for the concern thou......


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By HMMM on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 10:24 am: Edit Post

D'DON I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE IMPLYING, BUT, I AM A FOOTBALL FAN AND I DON'T KNOW ONE OF THEM WHO CANNOT READ AND WRITE EVEN IF IT IS THE BASIC.
I LIVE ABROAD AND LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING IF YOU WANT TO BECOME A CLEANER YOU HAVE TO FILL IN APPLICATION FORMS SO, WHERE YOU GET YOUR IDEA FROM I JUST DON'T KNOW.
AS YOU KNOW THAT THEN, WHY NOT TRY TO HELP SOME OF THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE UNABLE TO READ? THAT WOULD BE EXTREMELY NICE OF YOU D'DON.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Football fan on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 11:05 am: Edit Post

Here in Germany (and as far as I can tell the same applies for the UK) most professional footballers leave you with the impression that they are more or less illiterate when you hear them giving interviews...but I haven't heard of one who was barred from a carrier just because of this!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Scared for Youth on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 02:59 pm: Edit Post

D' Don, you have made some statements that scare me. I have met some of these young men, and the ARE illiterate. They can barely sign their own names. They cannot read from a book for grade two students. The same can be said for some of the young men going out in the fishing boats. As long as people think it is acceptable not to be able to read or write and they HOPE they can make a living at sports or fishing, what is the incentive for them to go to school to learn?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By nateA on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 11:57 am: Edit Post

And here in the states, guys good in football are eagerly sought out by colleges who want to recruit them to their teams, because football fans - pro and amateur - are rabid fans, and love these big athletes who are willing to pad themselves up and go onto the field to bash and bang and mash each other all up.

So kids who get good at the game in this country are often sought out for their athletic prowess, WHETHER OR NOT they are literate. The "jocks" often get big fat scholarships to college to keep the "gladiator" games going for the entertainment of the gazillion football fans in this country.

Of COURSE there are athletes who are brainy as well as brawny, but if being brainy were their strong suit - if they were, as we say in this country - the academic "geeks" or "nerds" - they more likely would go into some challenging academic field. But they don't, usually.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Beth on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 12:03 pm: Edit Post

We have touched on this subject before and I think the issue is historical and one of attitude to education amongst a large section of the local Treasure Beach community. This is what needs to change.I have just returned from Treasure Beach and saw many children of primary school age just hanging out when they should be in school. I have always said that the average Jamaican regardless of means or social standing will do anything to ensure their children get an education. Why is it so different in Treasure Beach?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By think on Friday, June 26, 2009 - 06:48 am: Edit Post

what about money? my 5 year old step-daughter lives in TB and we pay for her schooling, uniform, lunch, books etc; as well as all the other every day living costs. my husband did not go to school because his mother could not afford to send him. he has been lucky enough to have free adult literacy classes.

i do not have to pay for my daughter's education or healthcare in the uk. my monthly salary is more than a person may earn in a year in jamaica. some people would say it is all relative as the price of living is cheaper in jamaica (ha, ha!).

it is all very well to ask why children 'hang out' when they should be in school however, if their parents cannot afford to send them regularly there is no motivation for the child to go as they constantly have to catch up. as for truancy, it happens all over the world not just TB.

visitors to TB think they understand what is going on from spending a week, month, or years helping out and are quick to criticise but are often ignorant of what it is like to be a native.

POVERTY - no job, failed crops, no savings (or the opportunity to save), grandma to look after, children to cloth, feed and educate, no water or current, having to patch everything up after a storm, medical bills, the price of basics (flour, rice) going up, 4/5 people sleeping in the same room/bed.

work/life balance? more like a life/life balance. working to live, living to work or living to live?

on the bright side there is the beach, sunshine, beautiful scenery, lovely people.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By D' Don on Friday, June 26, 2009 - 09:57 am: Edit Post

ok mi right, some people go left, so i'm going left aswell, now the initial argument is some "scout spotted a youth playing football and wanted to use him,but him can't ready so him get left" so we a seh if you want to help a youth, help a youth, so some people a mek it look like we over-looking education, we nah seh that, education a di key, a circumstances mek mi family dem can't read, big man ting, good.

next ting, youths who do well in sports are often those who don't care much about school, so thats a society problem world-wide, and most a mi youth that go up 11 grade, can actual do some amount of reading and writing, mi kno fi fact seh di older head kind of locking in that department yes,

"But the bottom-line is its not eduction which is the problem in Jamaica its oppertunity".


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By frustrated on Friday, June 26, 2009 - 09:41 am: Edit Post

Yes Think, money is such an issue here with schooling, however as it over sized classes, lack of specialized teachers, and lack of parental interest in their children's education.

Many male youth in Treasure Beach could benefit from literacy classes and have lost opportunities because they are illiterate or not confident in their literacy skills to take up those opportunities. It is nothing to be ashamed of and it can not be aloud to continue. However if their were classes set up..how many would attend i wonder, how does personal pride effect the ability to help ones self.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Sisterfire on Friday, June 26, 2009 - 12:00 pm: Edit Post

A very long time ago I was able to volunteer for JAMAL (the Jamaica Adult Literacy program) in Mandeville, a rich learning experience for me as a teacher, and for the students who had a lifetime of experience but limited literacy skills. When I went online to see the current status of JAMAL, I found this report, which might be interesting for this discussion:

http://www.icae.org.uy/eng/icaeconfinteasemkaycinco.html

peace...


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By S. on Saturday, June 27, 2009 - 12:10 pm: Edit Post

Some of the ladies from TBWG have been doing one on one tutoring to help non-readers in TB. I have been trying to raise funds to properly train literacy tutors and maybe start a form adult literacy program in TB, but with no luck so far.

When I first visited TB four years ago, I was told about the land that was going to become the sports park. The man I spoke with about the project seemed very interested in including classroom space for adults. Sadly, when I tried to pursue that idea on my second and third visits to TB, it got no traction.

There is a significant problem with illiteracy in TB. From all the conversations I've had, I would agree with "Think" that the problem comes from lack of funds to cover school costs for children.

I am working on yet another proposal now, still with the hope of being able to help TBWG with materials and tutor-training so that they can continue their work with better skills and resources.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Beginning of an Idea on Sunday, June 28, 2009 - 07:32 am: Edit Post

I am seeing an interesting convergence here.

We have plenty of youth who want and deserve a place to play football, cricket, etc. If I am guessing correctly, a decent percentage of them MAY be functionally illiterate. Might there be a way to make them WANT to learn to read and write? I am thinking a MANDATORY weekly or twice weekly class might really help them. Granted, most pro athletes are not top scholars, but they CAN read and write. Plus, what will happen to these guys as they enter adulthood? How will they be able to get jobs? They can't play all day and expect others to provide for them when they stop being children.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By turey on Sunday, June 28, 2009 - 03:33 pm: Edit Post

I think a major hurdle for many that need to be assisted in reading and writing, is the shame of admitting this and being considered stupid or inferior.

A good friend in TB who can neither read nor write is my first teacher of old time as his memory is so clear. He also tells stories of confounding judges and 'big man'. He teaches me fishing, judging people and most of runnings I was unaware of.

I know most like him would attend readin'n'writing classes to attain these powers if they were encouraged and their so called illiteracy be not mocked but seen as only another life skill to be acquired.

After all, I can neither plant yam, milk cows or set fish traps and mi not fool-fool.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By S. on Monday, June 29, 2009 - 08:59 am: Edit Post

While it's true that telling someone you are illiterate is difficult and that many people feel ashamed to talk about it, several of the people I've met in TB have told me of their literacy issues within our first meeting. That was how I became interested in finding out more and how I came to realize there were so many people in need of classes.

I believe Turey has the right of it, however, that if classes were offered with respectful and compassionate staff, people would come. I work as an adult literacy teacher here at home and shame is the biggest factor in keeping people from admitting they need classes, but the moment they talk with one of the people in our center and see how well they are treated, they enroll and they stay.

People always say 'you're never too old' to learn something, and my experience as a literacy teacher has shown that to be true. The majority of my students in one class were all over the age of 65, with our oldest student in her 80s. My aunt gave reading lessons to her neighbor who was 102. People are hungry for classes, wanting to learn for many different reasons. Some want to be able to help their children with their homework, some want to be able to read the bible. Some 'just' want the satisfaction of finally acquiring a skill they didn't have the chance to acquire when they were younger.

Not having had the opportunity to learn to read is nothing to be ashamed of, and I would love to see formalized adult literacy classes come to TB. I would happily be the one to organize and help teach them, but I don't live in TB and have no means of supporting myself there. So I try to help TBWG in the ways that I can and hope their efforts will continue.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By yardy on Sunday, June 28, 2009 - 11:49 pm: Edit Post

I might get into trouble for saying this, but I don't think the problem with literacy in the area is financial. Yes it plays a part but it's not the major barrier.

I say this from having grown up with guys whose parents took them out of school back in the day to pursue a life of fishing. Back then fish was plentiful, and fishermen and their families lived a good life. I guess some didn't see the scarcity coming and so they did not prepare for the future. On the other hand, others kids who came from similar economic background were encouraged to attend school and prepared for the various examinations that existed during those days. The people I grew up with are now parents (and grand parents) themselves and probably haven't been able to break the cycle.

I'm not aware of any great disparity in income within the greater TB community, so it would seem to me that the biggest factor is parenting. It all starts in the home. Parents need to take an active part in their children's education. We need to attend PTA, talk to the teachers, and talk to our kids to get a feel for how they're doing.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By MikeyMike on Monday, June 29, 2009 - 10:09 am: Edit Post

I have often wonder why the Jamaican goverment does not invest more in education with the taxes collected from the Jamaican people ? This would be a wise investment that would pay big dividends in the future of Jamaica !
They can at least help parents by paying for the necessary books !!
One option would be to legalize the ganga business and tax it to pay for education !
Just my opinion :>)
ONE LOVE !!
Mike


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By missktluv on Monday, June 29, 2009 - 10:18 am: Edit Post

Hello S,
Sounds like you do fabulous work. My name is Katie and am volunteering with the fabulous TBWG at the moment and working on building a not for profit called iJamaica
www.ijamaica.org
I am very interested in Literacy initiatives, If you would like to contact me at I would love to discuss with you some more ideas about literacy classes.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By M.T. on Monday, June 29, 2009 - 04:34 pm: Edit Post

MikeyMike,
Successive Jamaican governments have actually spent a great deal of money on education, in dollar terms. After the amount for payment of the national debet is taken out, the largest percentage of the annual budget goes to Education.

Nevertheless that allocation is hardly enough to meet all the country's educational needs. There are, however, other inescapable demands which must be met at the same time, such as national security, health etc.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Beth on Monday, June 29, 2009 - 06:44 pm: Edit Post

I fully agree with M.T. I am not complacement and I feel that there is always room for improvement , however I do feel that successive governments have invested well in education and the fact that it remains a topical issue is suggestive of its importance in Jamaican society. Jamaica is a developing country and compared to some other countries that share the same label it has a good record in education terms; so much so that many parents I know of Jamaica heritage actually choose to educate their children in Jamaica where they do tremendously better than here in the UK. I should know I am one of the many parents that have chosen this route. There have been many TV programmes,anecdotal evidence and newspaper articles to back up this claim. I came from a poor family too but my parents never lost the opportunity to send me to school to take advantage of Jamaica's free education in the 1960's. Back then they saw it as a priority as did all the other families in my rural community.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By MikeyMike on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 - 12:41 pm: Edit Post

THANKS for that bit of information M.T.
On a few occasions I have donated school supplies in JA, and thought that since every student has to pay for books, uniforms and such, that the government did not spend much money on education.
THANKS again for the clarification !
I must say that many times American friends of mine has ask about the education system in Jamaica. I always tell them that at the primary level it is very good (even better then alot of schools in the U.S.), but the problems begin at the secondary level, and that college is usually (not always) for the wealthy.
ONE LOVE !!
Mike


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By M.T. on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 - 06:39 pm: Edit Post

Mike, despite the difficulties, the education system has come a far way, institutionally. Until a decade or so ago, university/ college spaces were quite limited, as we had only one recognised university - UWI - in which space is shared with students from throughout the English speaking Caribbean. Since then, the College of Arts, Science and Technology (CAST) has been transformed into the University of Technology (UTech)and offers world recognised degrees.

The former West Indies College (a private adventist institution) is now Northern Caribbean University (NCU), based in Mandeville, and has quickly established a remarkable record of accomplishment in certain areas of study. For example its team to the Microsoft Imagine Cup global programming competition has placed third in the world on at least two occasions in the last five years and is again in the finals which will be contested in Cairo, Egypt this year, having defeated all other competitors from throughout the Caribbean and then from the Americas.

Then there is the private University College of the Caribbean (UCC)which provides tutorials for degrees granted by several Amerivcan and British universities, including the University of London (LLB).

I believe Bethlehem College in Malvern is now part of the International University of the Caribbean (IUC) as well.

In addition the community colleges across the island provide associate degrees and are building partnerships with UTech and UWI for the purpose of delivering the material for full degrees as well.

Then, through the Internet, many other Jamaicans are successfully pursuing degrees with overseas universities from right in their bedrooms!

At the Secondary level we have many more schools today than we did a couple decades ago. The problem is that quality is eneven from one school to another. Perhaps that is not unique to Jamaica; and that's where we have to work harder.

Anyway, hope this helps further, Mike.

ONE LOVE!