Present a critical review of the present status of science education at the primary level of the Jamaican education systems, and make recommendations of the policy and methodological changes that may be implemented to guarantee the teaching and learning of authentic science at the primary level.

Introduction

This essay attempts to critically analyze the present status of science education at the primary level of the Jamaican education systems and seeks to make recommendations of the policy and methodological changes that may be implemented to guarantee the teaching and learning of authentic science at the primary level. Students need to use scientific information to make choices that arise in everyday situations. Every student need to be able to engage intelligently in public discourse and debate about important issues that involve science. Hence the right to share in the enthusiasm and personal fulfillment that can come from understanding and learning about science should be afforded to students. Scientific skills require that students be able to learn to reason, think creatively, make decisions, solve problems and contribute to sustainable economic development and to the social welfare as it relates to science.

Thus it is important for students to develop an interest in science from an early stage and this officially starts in the classroom. None of this is possible however, without the input of a good teacher and the necessary resources in the science arena. Therefore, factors which contribute to high accomplishment in science should be of a greater concern to decision-makers in the education system in Jamaica. There are many factors to consider when teaching science. These include: the appropriateness and accessibility of the curriculum; the availability and quality of textbooks; the availability of laboratories and scientific equipment, the school