by Michael Findley, Star Writer

Dean Cole - Contributed

watermount, st catherine

For Dean Cole teaching was a natural love with the hope to develop young minds. This industrial arts teacher wanted to pass on his skill to young students.

The 37-year-old educator, who lives in Angel Estate, Spanish Town, St. Catherine, journeys to Watermount All Age in the hills of the parish every morning. This is not a problem for him, however, as he has also taught for a number of years at Guanaboa Vale All-Age School, also in St Catherine.

Mr Cole seems to also have a natural love for the parish as he attended Kitson Town All-Age and Jonathan Grant High School, before pursuing a Diploma Course at the Vocational Training Development Institute (VDTI) which he is presently attending.

Mr Cole does not think that male teachers are well represented in the classroom, mainly because men fail to develop on their educational level or standard to be mentors to young people. Also he thinks, most male teachers migrate to greener pastures.

motivating male

He thinks students should learn a skill other than their academics as they would be more adaptable to the working world. As a matter of fact "Young men should join the military for widening their skill base," he opined. "They could create more employment and the HEART programme would help them in entrepreneurship and loans would help in owning their own business," he suggested.

Mr Cole does not believe boys are being marginalised in our society, but thinks they need to be motivated by more male mentors.

With regards to indiscipline and violence in school, Mr. Cole thinks its heart breaking and suggested that students should be punished by the state for their anti-social behaviour. He believes indiscipline is rising significantly and suggests that it is coming from the home and peers.

"The don culture and music has a part to play, as what they (the children) see and hear on the street, they take to school," he said of young children, especially males. He thinks corporal punishment should be reintroduced because it was never like this in his days at school.

On the topic of performance based pay for teachers, he disagrees. "Teachers are working overtime to see young brains develop, but because of the culture of indiscipline, most students are not able to grasp simple concepts of learning. Teachers should not be blamed for this," he said.

Mr Cole thinks the transformation in education is a good concept, but does not see much being done in terms of furniture upgrading and general infrastructure at Watermount School.

Finally, Mr Cole thinks teachers should be better paid for their service. "We don't only teach in the classroom but spend sleepless nights planning how to reach a child. Government should consider teachers as the main professionals in this country in the hope to move the country forward. They should not waver but give in to our request," he said adamantly.