Jamaica Observer

Dear Editor,

Is it really worth being educated in Jamaica? This is a concern that has been since Jamaica was. The agonising cries of university graduates are unfading, as they are unable to secure employment. It hurts even more to know that the reason behind this is not a lack of qualifications, but a grave lack of opportunity.

How can an individual with a bachelor's degree be offered jobs for literally $190 and $210 per hour gross? That is absurd!

Too many university graduates are having the same complaint. The job opportunities that would utilise your qualifications are tagged with the constant three to five years of related experience. That too is simply incongruous. I left high school and went on to university, how does one attain years of experience outside of theoretical exposure within that time?

Employers evidently take advantage of the large job market and are therefore at liberty to ask whatever insuperable requirements for even mediocre-paying jobs. Additionally, some of these jobs subject the individual to heavy workloads laced with unreasonable targets.

Recently, the education minister had a brewing concern about the number of individuals leaving secondary schools without basic qualifications. Minister, it is high time you stop "majoring on the minor". Whilst I will agree that there is cause for concern, there is no way you can prove that making provisions for them is in any way economically feasible. There are a greater percentage of educated young people who would do well with just a tad bit of your attention.

Often there is talk of the need for entrepreneurial exploits, but is there really a platform for such? We can't all be our own bosses. Can Jamaica bear the weight of one more educated remaining idle? Can the Students' Loan Bureau continue its operation with such looming demise? Can young people continue to cope under such strenuous circumstances? There is no way this can continue.

In desperation, I appeal to those in the capacity to make a change, please do. I have witnessed too many university graduates resort to being illegal immigrants in the US or Canada. This cannot be the future we fought so hard to attain.

Jodi-Ann Blake

jodiann.blake@ymail.com

Is it worth being educated in Jamaica?

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Dear Editor:

Have you ever noticed the academic qualification requirements in job advertisements for government entities in comparison to job advertisements for the private sector? A PhD or master's degree is required in many government advertisements to do jobs that may truly only require a bachelor's degree, or a bachelor's degree is required in government advertisements to do jobs that require CXC or GCE passes in the private sector.

Simply put, government positions seemingly demand the most academically qualified persons in comparison to persons employed in the private sector. However, it continues to bewilder me as to why is it that government entities are plagued by many poor performing and highly incompetent persons who seem to frustrate those seeking pluclic sector services. This is not the case in most private sector firms.

Reports of massive overruns, salaries to delinquent workers, hefty contracts to unregistered or incompetent contractors, and paying persons handsomely for creating policies that continue to fail are features only in the public sector. Why is this so?

If the theory is right that having big papers and titles behind one's name results in greater management and fiscal prudence, what happens in the public sector? Or, is it because the system of public sector was specifically designed by academia to plough the wealth out of the masses in order to circulate and keep the vast wealth of Jamaica within the circle of the group of elite?

They want every citizen dip their finger in election ink every five years without providing the citizens with any concrete commitment that the sordid system will change for the betterment of the masses. We need to open our eyes, garner the courage, and finally unplug ourselves from the matrix of mental slavery and human exploitation.

Garth 'Sub-Zero' Allen

excellentsub@hotmail.com

Why is academic qualification so high in government advertisement?

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Centuries ago William Shakespeare wrote: "To thine own self be true, and it must follow as the night the day; thou canst not then be false to any man." Among the present crop of ministers Ronald Thwaites must be acknowledged as one of the better performers. Despite his age, he brings vigour and vitality to the education portfolio and he has continued where Andrew Holness left off.

From the outset, Thwaites decided that he would continue the good programmes and that was the smart thing to do. Previously, when a new government enters office some ministers simply throw out the previous administration's programmes, even the baby with the bathwater.

But on the issue of our schools being the breeding grounds for criminals, both himself and Minister Bunting's conclusions are incorrect.

Thwaites attended St George's College, Bunting, Campion College, therefore they may not have encountered gang members in their schools. The high school I attended had some students who were already in street gangs, and this is the case in many schools. I knew of students who headed "crash programme" sites while attending school, and this was in the 1970s. When they came to school they wore Clarks shoes long before Vybz Kartel made it famous, long sleeve khaki shirts and carried BOAC or Pan American airways bags.

The schools then and now are not breeding grounds for gangs, our society is; this one shouldn't be blamed on teachers. The raw material they are getting is, sadly, "damaged goods". What many of these gang members, especially scammers, make in a week a teacher or a policeman doesn't make in a year. Teachers are powerless to influence or educate these characters; they are already streetwise and wealthy. They don't want to be doctors, lawyers, engineers or members of any professional groups or productive citizens of Jamaica. This is bigger than teachers and schools.

Finally, I cannot understand our PM's response to Andrew Holness asking about the frequent trips abroad. He isn't asking her personal questions. He is asking on behalf of all of us, not just JLP supporters. He isn't asking her about what is the limit on the credit card her husband gave her. That would be out of order, and she would have all right to feel offended. She is to answer in detail. Also, when MP Fitz Jackson tables a motion in the House requesting a report from the BOJ on commercial bank and credit union fees and charges, he is doing so on behalf of every single citizen of Jamaica, not just PNP supporters. If Mrs Simpson Miller cannot take the heat then she needs to get out of the kitchen, it is simple as that. She must be the most thin-skinned prime minister on earth.

Mark Clarke

Siloah, St Elizabeth

mark_clarke9@yahoo.com

Problem bigger than teachers, schools

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Dear Editor,

I want to add my input on the issue regarding schools producing criminals. Were these children dropped from Mars into these schools and stayed in these schools all their lives and then went directly into prisons? If the answer to my question is yes, then I would say that these schools are breeding ground for criminals.

I know the answer to my question is no, therefore it is the society, by way of the corrupt political system; the inefficient justice system; the non-enforcement of some of our laws; etc driving people to criminal activities.

Minister Thwaites and others interpretors of the data are of these finding are off base. To say that these schools are breeding ground for criminals is tantamount to talking nonsense.

Courtney Barrette

77 Waltham Park Road Road

Courtney_Barrette@yahoo.com

Dropped from Mars

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Dear Editor,

Some believe that coming together is impossible. I, on the other hand, know that it is possible. In fact, it is imperative for the future.

I am not speaking about coming together when all the problems are solved, but coming together right now, by taking simple actions on a daily basis to help restore some of the trust that has been lost.

In my work, I have found that the reason most people don't come together is that they are afraid. We simply don't trust each other. This is not a Jamaican challenge it affects the whole world.

It's funny how many times I have heard "Trust me, man" in Jamaica. In order to feel trust, real trust, you must feel safe. You can't have one without the other; it can't just be a manner of speech. Do we trust those in our homes and neighbourhoods? Do we feel trust with our friends and the country at large? Do the grills that surround our homes make us feel safer?

Through my years travelling and living in many parts of this island, I find fear and distrust at monumental proportions. We spend much of our waking lives protecting ourselves from each other. How can we come together if we don't trust and feel safe?

We all want to be safe. The energy that is bound up in this lack of trust is enormous and robs us of our true power.

Let us take a look at the times when we do come together and there is a temporary feeling of trust; when we root for our athletes for instance. That's because we share a common goal and everything that seem to separate us disappear. When the team wins, everybody wins. That is what it is all about. But how do we create teamwork in this country?

It is the simple things in life that we do and don't do on a daily basis that keep us from "coming-together" as a team. By taking care of the little things, the bigger problems sometimes take care of themselves.

Simple actions that we can take on a daily basis to build trust, safety, and respect and stimulate coming together are to greet each other when we pass in the streets or in a building. When driving, allow another vehicle to pass ahead of you. If someone allows you to go ahead of them in traffic, then beep your horn to return your appreciation. It is a simple action, but it could become contagious.

Open a door for someone. Guide a senior citizen or a child across the street. Pick up a piece of garbage and throw it into a bin. Can you imagine if each person on this island picked up one piece of garbage a day and threw it into a bin? Think of all the simple actions that can communicate that we are "coming-together" as a team, that we respect each other and we care. We are all in this together.

I challenge you as individuals, communities, churches, and companies to focus for one day on open, honest communication from the heart. Let it flow, and let's see what happens.

If you are responding to these possibilities with anything but enthusiasm, ask yourself why? Why would you not want to become a member of the Jamaican Team? Why not try this approach? Nothing else has worked.

Let Jamaica become a model for the world of social transformation.

One love.

Dino DeFilippi

Kingston 10

#teamjamaica

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Dear Editor,

After reading the results of the of the report on the schools I must say that if I was in the position of the principal, teacher or student of the non-traditional high schools highlighted in the recent report I would feel very bad.

My advice to them, however, is to get over it and get over it quick. The report has shown that persons incarcerate are either past students or dropouts of these institution. If at all this is so, then clearly there is a problem here.

I don't believe that total blame must go the schools. I would be more than naive if for even one second I entertained such a thought. I know that these schools have also produced very prominent and successful persons, many that would give the schools a favourable rating in society. But we all know such a report would not make headlines because negatives sell more than positives.

I believe that there are other extenuating circumstances that have led to this. Further investigation must take place to determine if home life, peer pressure and the students' location may have played a role in where they ended up. it must be ascertained and reported how significant a role these circumstances had on the results we now see and the appropriate solutions to be applied.

For principals, teachers and students it is not business as usual. Serious damage has been done, it is now your responsibility to ensure that these statistics do not repeat themselves; you must now recommit yourselves to the cause and focus on the purpose for which you have been placed in schools.

Be assured that when human beings do their best, angels cannot do better. Do not ever expect to get it perfect, but try your utmost best to at least get it good most of the time.

Gary Rowe

Manchester

magnett0072004@yahoo.com

Get over it, and get over it quick

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Dear Editor,

I find it rather disheartening that at this time in the so-called "transformation" of our educational system, the Government has published a report that makes certain schools appear as "breeding grounds for criminals".

I also find the publication of this report disheartening as the Government has chosen once again to place schools in a negative light. The minister of education has said that the report is not made to tear down schools, but is intended to be of some assistance to schools in moving forward.

However, contrary to the minister's belief, this report is actually demotivating, discouraging and destructive to the image of the schools. You don't need to go to Kingston High School or Denham Town High School or even to Jamaica College to detect miscreants that may become involved in criminal activities in the future. Every high school in this country, public and private, all-boy, all-girl and co-ed, shift and non-shift, traditional and non-traditional has its fair share walking their corridors. Why is this?

The problem does not lie specifically in the schools themselves. The problem lies in dysfunctional homes where parents lack control of their children. Also, students do not have role models in the communities where many of these come from, where the village is no longer concerned with raising the child.

Has the Ministry of Education forgotten those factors? Therefore, if we are to reduce crime and achieve real transformation in the educational system we need not cast blame on certain schools. Instead, we should try our best to solve the real problems behind indiscipline and immorality in our schools by holistic, sustainable means.

Markel Virgo

markel.virgo@gmail.com

Every school has its fair share

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Dear Editor,

I have been thinking about these long and hard and I do believe that, if they are implemented, within five (5) years Jamaica will see a drastic turnaround in fortune:

1. A proper justice system must be implemented, where those who are wronged and those who are convicted of wrongdoing both know and feel the results of justice.

2. Serious penalties must be dispensed to leaders who hold high offices who are found to be inept and corrupt.

3. Cut the size of the Cabinet drastically, and govern by parish in the same manner the US has independently governed states. If the PNP is the governor for the parish, then the JLP or an independent person is the deputy for balance and oversight.

4. A coalition government should be considered and instituted to uproot the divisive political evil of the partisan culture in the country. On each parish ballot a maximum of five or so candidates can run for office to include persons independent of a political party.

5. Utilise the army to monitor prisoners and put them to work in the country in areas such as agriculture, painting, roadwork, drain-cleaning, etc.

6. Use monies slated for social development projects to build factories for sustainable development. Teach persons to fish instead of giving them a fish constantly, by doing this we will get rid of the "freeness" mentality and engender a culture of hard work for a just reward.

7. Ensure students do not move to the next grade level until they have successfully mastered their current grade. Mediocrity must be eliminated.

8. There should be a separate ballot for citizens to vote for the prime minister. This means the party has no say in who leads the country.

9. Have a separate court to deal speedily with public corruption. No bail should be granted in these matters, the proceedings should be live on national television, and if convicted the official should lose 50 per cent of their assets. It should be forfeited to the State.

10. There should be more stringent laws to deal with the possession of a firearm, after all it is what is wrecking the country's prospect.

11. At least one creative centre needs to be instituted for each parish and it should be located in the capital. The purpose is to keep a record of all the skills of persons registered in that parish, which can then be used to spawn industries, create training plans and provide a database to pull from when personnel are needed for large projects.

12. All able-bodied students leaving school should choose from four (4) options: i. Go to university or get vocational training. ii. Commit to three years internship in an established organisation. iii. Be drafted into the army for a mandatory 5 -year period of service. iv. Get a job.

13. Merge the TRN and National ID information so as to create a nationwide database with information and photographs of each citizen. This should then be made available to the financial, legal, educational, health, and public sectors. The two main purposes of it are to be able to locate citizens and to track their involvement.

14. Place a limit on the number of children each family can have in order to secure the State, curb potential criminality from unwanted and neglected children, also to ensure citizens can provide sufficiently for their family needs.

15. Institute term limits for politicians, acknowledge the axiom "power corrupts".

16. Do a study of all parishes and seek out which crops do best in each parish and is needed for the international markets. Implement a three-year plan to increase production of those crops on a parish level by at least 500 per cent. Employment will be increased, export will be increased, foreign exchange inflow will be increased and idle government lands will be put to use. Overall the nations GDP will be positively impacted.

17. Implement a substantial special users tax on all items and food stuff imported by distributers that could be grown or made in Jamaica. The aim is to regulate the marketplace so as to encourage local production.

18. All Jamaican superstars -- persons who have become very rich based on natural talent -- should be monitored so they pay their fair share of taxes from their yearly income. Some of the money will go towards the consolidated funds for the overall development of the country, while the other portion will go towards the development of the specific field in which the person dominates.

Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to any man. -- Proverbs 14:34

Joseph Edwards

Spanish Town,

St Catherine

seraphins_arch@yahoo.com

18-point plan for Jamaica's success in 2014

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Dear Editor,

Putting Warmington's nonsense about "no vote, no benefits" aside, some of the issues that he raised have been taken up by at least the leader of the Opposition. One of them is this business of compulsory voting. It would seem that most of us don't understand the implications of us going this route, especially in a country like ours. I think it would not be a good thing.

I am not sure if Warmington was just talking without thinking, but he said something that struck me. He said that if he checked his computer and found out that a person coming to him did not vote, that person could just turn back. Now, if it is that any politician can just do a check and find out if someone has voted or not, isn't there some legal issue here? I thought that a person's vote was supposed to be secret.

If Warnington was talking about checking the voters' list, that wouldn't be a good indication of who voted. A voter on the list may choose not to vote. However, if he was talking about somehow checking if the person actually voted, then this leads straight into some of the dangers that I have with compulsory voting.

With the paper-based system that we use, if someone is forced to vote, that person can frustrate the system by simply spoiling his ballot. Of course, that person would have wasted his time and scarce State resources, but at least, with the paper-based system, he really wouldn't have voted at all. And without compulsory voting this waste would not happen.

With electronic voting the story is a bit different. People who are forced to vote would have no choice but to select a candidate, as such the system would need to be programmed for spoilt ballots.

The question is, if the law requires that a person's vote be secret, how will an electronic system ensure that? -- considering Warmington's dribble about checking if a person voted.

What worries me is that I suspect that Warmington's views are not unique among Jamaican politicians. What if we decide to go the way of compulsory voting and we have a system that is configured to tie each vote to the voter -- if this isn't already the case -- and then we have politicians, like Warmington, checking not only if I did vote, but for which party? Imagine the favouritsm that would result, to say the least.

Of course, these issues would be true of a non-compulsory voting system. However, with the non-compulsory system, the electorate would have the power to frustrate the plans of strange politicians by simply not voting.

I think we should leave this business of compulsory voting alone.

Michael A. Dingwall

michael_a_dingwall@hotmail.com

Can Warmington really check votes?

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Dear Editor,

I recently visited the tax office on Constant Spring Road to have my name corrected on my Tax Registration Number (TRN) card. It had been spelt incorrectly — no fault of mine as I presented my birth certificate when I made the request.

After being advised to go to the "information desk"— it appears everyone has to go there first — I was issued a form, after which I collected a number. I entered the required information, then went to be processed. The clerk took my passport and birth certificate and used it to electronically update their system. I was then asked to take my documents downstairs to be photocopied. I found this to be strange, but I complied. I stood in line at the copy area, my passport and birth certificate were then taken and copied. A hand was then shoved toward me without words. I inquired and was told payment was required. I asked how much and was told $20. My passport and birth certificate were neatly tucked away pending my presentation of the fee.

This caught me a little off guard as I had called the day before to ask about the procedure. I was told which documents were necessary and was also told there are no charges. It felt like I was being detained for untoward activities. However, I got the cash, paid the fee, was handed my documents as well as the copies and headed back to customer service. I gave the clerk the copies of the documents, was handed my receipt and I then left.

I am, however, confused. Why should I pay to copy documents that will enter the filing system at the tax office? It came across as covert strong-arming. Also, it wastes time to leave the counter, exit the main building, and go downstairs to join a line to copy documents -- documents that belong to the Government of Jamaica and information that is already updated on the computer system by the clerk.

Why can't there be a photocopying machine in the vicinity of the clerk? What information was entered when she initially took my documents?

Additionally, I was told the Government has stopped issuing physical TRN cards and I should check the newspapers for advertisements to indicate when the process will be resumed. There was no explanation for the discontinuation.

I also need to renew my driver's licence. I was told I can't start this process until at least five working days — to facilitate the TRN being processed. So, why can't the TRN and driver's licence be processed simultaneously, since they are the same number? I feel like the Government thrives on frustrating the already frustrated.

GB

beckfordg@hotmail.com

Why am I paying to copy for government files?

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Dear Editor,

People need to stop blaming the government for everything. It's us as a people killing each other. We have a choice to do good or bad.

The police cannot cover every corner of Jamaica, what do we expect when we don't let our children attend church, when we start adopting other countries methods by not allowing parents to discipline a child the old fashioned way, what do we expect when we take discipline out of schools. Wake up Jamaica.

It's for us as a nation to realise that we're responsible for our nation-building. We have to stop being cowards.

The morals of our society have died, it first starts from the parents and how they raise their children, it’s also our responsible as community members to look out for each other by mentoring someone when they're being led astray. It’s time to stop being selfish and self-centred we used to care we need to start again it takes a village to raise a child. If we follow or fore-parents we can never go wrong.

Andramackey Whyte

Dear Editor,

I'm sure that if we had leftist principles in Jamaica we would have crime under control and our youth would be exposed to compulsory education of some sort.

Illegal guns and drugs smuggling would also be under control.

Our Socialist Democratic movement was intended to first educate our people, young and old, construct schools, invest in agriculture, education and scientific research in various areas, adapt the principles of self reliance, eat what we grow, and to establish the true meaning of an independent nation.

We are not a communist nation, but several of our people are lining up to obtain a night's dinner, while several are suffering from educational deficiency, which is the cause of so much barbarism in our society.

Come on Jamaicans. We are like a communist nation which got no help from the capitalist world, and are struggling to gain assistance and democratic recognition, true or false?

Ellydeedo

Dear Editor,

The stretch of road from as far as the intersection of Dunrobin Avenue and Constant Spring Road all the way to where it meets Molynes Road and Washington Boulevard in Kingston is one of the most used and busiest thoroughfares in Kingston. However, for over a month now commuters and pedestrians have had to endure total darkness while traversing this roadway. Driving in that area towards Washington Boulevard is like driving in deep rural Jamaica, where you have to turn on your bright lights in order to see the road.

This is not safe for drivers or pedestrians. Are the authorities or Jamaica Public Service, whoever is responsible — Kingston and St Andrew Corporation, even — going to wait until there is a fatal accident or criminal activity before they fix the problem, and then they say "if we had known!"

Act now! Secure life and property.

Leroy Brown

leroybrownman@gmail.com

Help! Roadway under cover

of darkness

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Dear Editor,

Recently, we witnessed the dazzling performance and coronation of Tessanne Chin, the champion of NBC's The Voice competition — an accomplishment of epic proportions and another confirmation that our nation is endowed with world-class talent. Against this backdrop, major rethinking of strategies is paramount to unlock the latent talents of our jobless youths, awakening them for productive use to reignite the country's economic growth.

The International Labour Organisation's latest report states that the number of jobless people around the world is approximately 198 million, including 75 million young people between the ages of 15 and 24.

A recent study by academics at Oxford University suggests that 47 per cent of today's jobs could be automated in the next two decades.

According to Economic and Social Survey Jamaica 2012, since 2007, youth employment has precipitously declined by an estimated 50,000 jobs; an unemployment rate of 40 per cent with a declining labour participation rate. Of concern, youth joblessness is fuelling the fears of a "lost generation".

A cauldron of evidence, based mainly on American statistics, shows that people beginning their careers without work experience are likely to have lower wages and a higher incidence of future joblessness than those who do not.

Inevitably, joblessness spawns hopelessness, antisocial behaviour and, worse, crime. Incidentally, during 2012, youths have been responsible for approximately 60 per cent of major crimes committed. Of significance, many social scientists postulate that crime and joblessness are inextricably linked.

Special emphasis is required to mitigate youth joblessness, the country's bugbear. To address this challenge, policymakers should promote youth employment through the following recommended interventions:

(i) enhancing young people's employability by improving the link between education, training and the world of work, including apprenticeships and mentorships;

(ii) improving young people's access to information on career opportunities by providing support for job search; and

(iii) facilitating youth entrepreneurship in entertainment, technology, music, and sport. Additionally, the Government should continue playing the pivotal role, through HEART and JAGAS, in supporting skill and retraining activities to address the gaps between demand and supply of work skills and qualifications.

According to economic prognoses, job creation will be slow, especially among the youths. The imperative and challenge we face is to provide structured opportunities for our youths. Hopefully, the new wave of investments -- the agro parks and logistics hub -- will provide jobs for them.

I am exhorting employers, policymakers and decision makers to give priority attention to growth initiatives to address the lingering problem of youth joblessness.

James McNish

jamcnish@utech.edu.jm

Youth joblessness: Jamaica's bugbear

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Dear Editor,

Recently, there has been discussion in the public sphere about whether political candidates know which electors voted in an election and for whom.

The Electoral Office of Jamaica wishes to use this opportunity to clear up the matter.

Sections 41 and 41a of the Representation of the People Act give the right to each candidate to appoint an indoor agent and an outdoor agent, respectively, to watch the proceedings at each polling station on his or her behalf. The agents are able to gather information as to the electors who actually turn up at the polling station which, in turn, can be conveyed to the candidate.

The answer, therefore, as to whether political candidates have any way of knowing who voted in an election is yes. The candidates can say which electors turned up at the polling station based on the information supplied to them by the agents.

This information is not supplied by the Electoral Office of Jamaica.

Now, to address the matter of whether political representatives can say how electors voted in an election, the answer is no. Let me remind the public that electors are required to cast their votes privately behind a screen.

On presentation of the marked ballot, the presiding officer then removes the counterfoil (a flap bearing the serial number of the ballot) and deposits the ballot in the ballot box. The ballot itself does not bear a serial number or any other distinguishing marks, so once the counterfoil is removed, it is impossible to connect any voter to any ballot. Not even the Electoral Office is able to do so.

An elector who votes openly or openly displays the ballot paper after voting will have it spoilt by the presiding officer and then warned not to do so. The elector is then given a second ballot and if the offence is repeated, the ballot is again spoilt and the elector loses the right to vote in that election.

Therefore, unless an elector chooses to disclose how he voted after leaving the polling station, no one can say how that person voted.

I trust this adequately clears up any misunderstanding regarding the process.

Orrette Fisher

Director of Elections

The secrecy of the vote

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Dear Editor,

With a Government that seems not to know what it is doing, with different groups shouting contrary opinions at each other, is it possible for the sake of Jamaica to have a rational discussion and arrive at consensus on the Goat Islands issue. This may be our only ladder to climb out of our poverty.

I must respect Howard Chin's analysis from the point of view of an engineer, but I would have liked it better to have come from the Jamaica Institution of Engineers. This body should be sitting down with the Government, the Chinese investors, the Opposition, the manufacturers' association, the chamber of commerce, the conservationists, and any other important stakeholder to come to a rational decision.

If Howard Chin is right, we are playing the goat with Goat Islands and acting like Ponzi scheme victims who, dazzled by the prospect of immediate gain, commit themselves to acts of folly.

It may be that I missed something and the consultation that I propose has already been done. It seems not, however, and it is time we stopped shouting at each other and make a sensible decision.

The same thing applies to the business of energy. In one of his last presentations Edward Seaga spoke of converting to clean coal. It has been more than 25 years, we chatter and we jabber and we still have not slain the dragon.

Orville Brown

storyline6000@gmail.com

We need rational discussion and conscensus

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Dear Editor,

The Half-Way-Tree branch of National Commercial Bank (facing York Pharmacy) has a drive-thru teller line which is accessible from Hope Road. I have observed for several months that at varying intervals during the course of the day it is inundated with motorists, at times blocking one of the three lanes provided for travelling. Drivers have to navigate their way into the centre lane, then after passing this line, try to return to the original lane to turn left at the traffic light.

This significantly contributes to the congestion that is usually present at this area already congested by taxi drivers who carelessly stop in the middle of the thoroughfare. This issue has been so prevalent to the point where I observed police officers directing traffic away from the lane, in an effort to maintain the flow of traffic.

Should this lane now be designated a 'Bank Lane' just as how we have special lanes for buses?

NCB must review that facility as it does not facilitate any convenience for commuters and motorists in the area, and environmentally I am sure it does more damage to our fragile environment to stay in an operating vehicle in a stationary position for an average of 20 minutes emitting carbon monoxide, etc, versus parking the vehicle and entering the bank.

Timothy Cawley

cawley.timothy@gmail.com

Bank lane for NCB HWT?

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Dear Editor,

In recent times I have noticed that more and more students, especially females, have found themselves in the precarious position of exposing themselves in a manner not suited for their age and embarrassing to their uniform and the school they represent.

I also notice that everyone is getting excited and alarmed about it as if this is something new or society is somehow breaking down because of it. This behaviour is not new. I left high school in 1994 and every class party I went to something similiar happened, where the bravest of the lot exposed themselves or got loose in a derogatory manner or we would move to some secret location and conduct some forbidden activity.

The difference between then and now is that almost everyone has a smartphone that takes pictures and has a data plan that is connected to some social media website. Within seconds videos and pictures are uploaded and shared for the world to see.

Many people are only concerned because they are now being embarrassed by this behaviour. We need to stop treating the symptom, but identify the real problem and move with a view to finding solutions.

Far too many children are allowed to own smartphones. We need to restart a programme to teach our students about good morals and values. We also need to hold the adults that are responsible for these delinquent children seriously accountable.

Gary Rowe

Manchester

magnett0072004@yahoo.com

Treat the problem not the symptom

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Dear Editor,

At what point will Minister Bunting recognise that the People's National Party (PNP) spinning tactics are getting more and more distasteful. He is the first security minister ever to be robbed in Jamaica, and by his own admission there is an approximate nine per cent increase in crime ending the year 2013. And yet the minister is adamant that crime is under control.

Is it a case that he takes us all for fools or he just simply believes that we all are gullible like the diehard party supporters who continue to put non-performers in Parliament.

Let memory serve that Minister Bunting was one of the most vociferous PNP candidates during the run-up to the last general election suggesting that if we get rid of Christopher "Dudus" Coke and dismantle Tivoli Gardens, which he made reference to as the headquarters for criminals, we would have reduced crime in this country.

Fast-forward a mere two years after this administration is voted into power and the criminals have suddenly become more active than ever.

Bunting also went on international television and stated that the then Attorney General's Department was essentially at the service of 'Dudus' Coke. As far as I understand, within six months of the PNP's return to power, Donald 'Zeeks' Phipps, from behind bars, renewed his application to collect some $24 million that was taken in a raid by the police. Present Attorney General Patrick Atkinson granted the return of Phipps money without him having to even prove how he came by it. What would Minister Bunting say about the Attorney General's Department today?

Minister, we would suggest to you to stop the hypocrisy and excuses for your failure and seek professional help, because it is very evident that divine intervention alone will not solve our crime problems

Melvin Pennant

warriorsunleashed@gmail.com

Get to work, Bunting

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Dear Editor,

Reading has been on the decline in the Jamaican society for quite a while. We live in a society, and indeed a world where cultural norms are changing almost daily. As technology develops, more and more of our students are acquiring the latest gadgets, leaving little or no time for recreational reading. Many of our students and adults alike have what is obviously an obsession with listening to music mainly of a specific genre. It has become a rarity to see a student or adult reading a novel.

The declining rate in literacy is more pronounced at the secondary level of the education system. This fall in reading level can be attributed to, among other factors, the absence of a standardised national literacy test at the secondary level of the education system. What is required is a shift by the nation's policymakers to encourage more reading. We need to examine the possibility of including a Grade Seven or a Grade Eight Literacy Test. This will provide the impetus to do more in improving the literacy of our students.

There is an urgent need for us to constantly access and monitor our students. Additionally, we need to develop policies that emerge from empirical data to improve the educational outcome of our students. In establishing a literacy test at the secondary level we would be able to track the progress, or lack thereof, of each student. The fact that each student already has a profile by the time he/she reaches the secondary level would make this process easier. This would make it quite easy to make a comparison of the student's score on their Grade Four Literacy Test. Appropriate remedial work could then be done to address the needs of specific students.

It is foolhardy to think that an increase in literacy specialists is tantamount to improving reading levels. We need an infusion of all subject teachers to do more reading in the content area. We also need to reduce the student/teacher ratio in our schools to manageable levels where teachers can be more effective in working with challenged students.

Yes, the times are challenging and the resources of the State are limited; however, there is an urgent need for educators to do more. We need to redouble our efforts to incorporate the use of authentic forms of literacy, such as close reading, analysis, discussion and writing to improve the reading outcome of our students. While we are unable to slow the pace of the ever-changing technology, we must explore all possibilities to raise the levels of literacy in our nation's schools.

waykam@yahoo.com

www.wayaine.blogspot.com

Reading is more than ABC

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