The Global Classroom

The Philosophical Impact of Shaping Jamaica’s Educational System in

1973-2002.

The political arena further involvement in the 19 th century, the local government facilitated grant-in aid, but further racism in the colony adapted from a British colony in the 1960s gave way to the union of Reconstructionism for other non-whites and children of the poor could
gain entry through special scholarships.

This was extended under a policy of the 1957 Norman Manley government which introduced the free place awards through Common Entrance Examinations. Expenses in education continued to break the confidence of the individuals. The Minister of Education in 1973, Mr. Florizel Glosspole extended grants-in-aid after the reformalized constructive appearance by the Jamaica Labour Party in the mid-1960, for a less cost effective access to the examinations. The abolishment of the expensive education system was decreased monumentally and a new financial system soon to come.

May 1, 1973 Prime Minister Michael Manley enforced the new education system appearance at infant, primary, secondary and tertiary level. It was Michael Manley who announced on May 2, 1973 that as of September the government would be “embarking upon a system of free education in Jamaica”.

Free education, as announced by Michael Manley, extended to the Jamaican students at the University of the West Indies and to all tertiary institution owned by the government. Existentialism is a philosophical movement which emphasis’s on individual existence, freedom and choice and Michael Manley had made the announcement for free education. Parrenialism, essentialism. ( Edwards. R, 2014 ); and progressivism are philosophical terms which may share a common interest are approach in education. Essentialism is a philosophical term which focuses on a common core of knowledge transmitted in a systematic and discipline way.

Perrenialismis a branch of philosophy which focuses on personal development where education is concern in which ideas that have lasted over centuries is acknowledged. Progressivism suggest that education should focus on the child rather than on the content or teacher similar to a student- centered curriculum and education being the pragmatism of the government, optimistically things can be unfolded.

Pragmatism is a philosophical movement that stress on the ideology or proposition to be true through the practical consequences of accepting it and that unpractical ideas are to be rejected. When Michael Manley led the People’s National Party PNP back to power in 1986, Wilmot
Perks, who then hosted hotline, questioned Manley on RJR through social reconstructionism- a term in philosophy which concerns with social change in the existence of society.

Communication is a factor of social Reconstructionism and there the opinion and ideology of Michael Manley could be recognized. Perkins asked Michael Manley if he would be reintroducing free education at the University level and continuing with free education at the secondary level as he had done in 1973. Manley said that there was new thinking on the matter and those who could pay should do so and not be a burden on the budget and the economy.

The existence of the individual created a barrier because the objectivity of the society forced the subjectivity of the individual in proposing the accessibility of education. Education remained free and accessible at the primary and secondary levels as it had been from 1973. It was Edward Seaga as Prime Minister and Minister of Finance in Jamaica Labour Party JLP government of the 1980s who introduced the education tax.( Edwards. R; 2020),The government imposing free education in school would cause major Fin sac in the deficit of the budget.

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