Jamaica Observer

Dear Editor,

The dry weather in this parish has done us one favour. It has turned the grass brown on the hills overlooking Kingston, making very clear how little tree cover there is. It's the same story with the hillsides of the long, beautiful valley below Cinchona.

Just a few decades ago all our hills were forested. In another two or three decades we will be gazing in many places, not at brown grass, but at brown earth, ready to wash down on the houses below. Washing down too, with justice, on the Ministry of Agriculture, itself located directly below some of that now brown grass.

We have seen it happen in Haiti, with its one per cent forestation, hills and mountains that are just brown mud, and killer landslides when rainfall is extra heavy.

So what is our minister waiting for? When is tree planting on the hills going to start? But please, not with pines, which have been proven to not be best suited for Jamaican soil. Jamaica has several excellent hardwood varieties, as well as fast growers for interim cover for the short term. Seedlings should already be in hand to meet the coming rainy months.

Let's get on with the work.

Horace Levy

halpeace.levy78@gmail.com

Let's protect Jamaica's forests

-->

Dear Editor,

I was dumbfounded when my wife, who volunteers at a primary school, told me she was so heartbroken for a little girl who could not sit the Grade Six Achievement Test because she could not read, though she was in the sixth grade.

How could this happen? What use are the teachers? What use is the Ministry of Education? What a waste of our human resources and our tax dollars? When will the Jamaican people demand more of our leaders or, more appropriately, misleaders?

We have been turning out tens of thousands of illiterates for generations and we wonder why our productivity is so low that we cannot even compete with the smallest of our Caribbean neighbours. We wonder why our unemployment rate is so high, why crime is out of control, and why our people have become so degenerate and depraved? Do our leaders have no shame?

Our leaders seem quite content driving around in their big, expensive SUVs, wearing the most expensive clothes, dining at the most exclusive restaurants, and, of course, residing in the most exclusive neighbourhoods, while most of the rest of us wallow in poverty, struggling daily to put food on our tables. Don't they have any shame?

What is going to happen to our country if this continues much longer? Do the people have to riot and burn down the country for change to come? The oppression of the masses is getting unbearable as the agents of the State hammer them for more taxes, more fees, and less service. They cry out for basics such as water and decent roads to walk, ride, and drive upon, or manageable classroom populations. It is only a matter of time before it erupts like a volcano.

Wake up, Jamaica before there is no coffee to smell.

Andre Bell

jahmekya.ja@gmail.com

The big picture

-->

Dear Editor,

I wish to comment on the article, 'Child undergoes 5-hour operation to save leg after accident,' published on March 27, 2014. I sincerely believe that these reckless drivers should obtain the same conviction as murderers. Another child has become a victim to what is said to be "reckless and dangerous driving". Nnekia's may never walk again, plus one can only imagine the trauma she has gone through as a result of her predicament.

The article mentioned that: "The driver was mauled by an angry mob of residents from Tavares Gardens, popularly known as 'Payne Land', after he tried to escape the scene. He was rescued by an off-duty policeman who was alerted about the commotion and fired warning shots to ward off the angry mob."

This is what we call "jungle justice", and many people are of the opinion that jungle justice is not justified. But imagine the pain and agony of the parents. By putting oneself in their shoes, how would one cope with such circumstance?

I am not suggesting that I am in total agreement with the idea of jungle justice. However, my concern is that weighing the circumstances and scrutinising the situations, I am led to ask the question, are there any grounds for jungle justice to be justified? Or is it that we have total confidence in our justice system to give us the justice that we really deserve?

Children's Advocate Diahann Gordon Harrison declared: "Absolutely no parent or guardian should have to endure the agonising pain of having to bury their child under...gruesome and heart-rending circumstances."

The call to institute capital punishment in Jamaica is commonly shared among the populace. If it is that we are advocating and pushing for such to be instituted, how much different would that be then, if jungle justice is exercised?

Patrick Davis

Hyde District, Trelawny

mr_newland50@yahoo.com

Is 'jungle justice' ever justified?

-->

Dear Editor,

I write in response to a letter published in the Observer of 24th March under the caption 'They have us by the kidneys'. This was obviously penned by someone in an emotional state, precipitated by the illness of their father, who did not bother to check the facts. The writer chose instead to smear the reputation of nephrologists who go beyond the call of duty by giving quality care to patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).

I am not a nephrologist, but have been involved in the management of patients with ESRD since the first patient in Jamaica (and the Caribbean) was dialysed for ESRD in Mach 1970. We then had one kidney machine in the island, whereas we now have in excess of fifty for use in the public hospitals situated in Kingston, Montego Bay, Spanish Town, May Pen, and Mandeville. This increase has been in part due to the efforts of the Kidney Support Foundation of Jamaica of which all the nephrologists accused of not pushing for an increase in public facilities for the care of indigent ESRD patients are members.

Jamaica has at least 900 new cases of ESRD each year, the majority of which cannot afford private dialysis and eventually die awaiting dialysis. The waiting lists at the public hospitals are therefore understandably very long. Any patient may join the list, but no preference is given to status, colour, creed, or wealth. Obviously those who can afford it will opt for private dialysis. The indigent, however, have no choice as the Government is financially stretched spending about $1.5 million per patient per year on dialysis.

The nephrologists who have the "guts" and foresight to invest in private units to help in the management of ESRD throughout Jamaica should be commended rather than chastised.

L Lawson Douglas

Professor of Urology

llawsondouglas@yahoo.com

This 'business' of dialysis

-->

Dear Editor,

I have heard recent discussions in the media about the abolition of pit latrines in schools. At first thought, this is a step in the right direction. Then I decided to speak on the issue with a few administrators and teachers from schools that have modern toilets.

Many of those I spoke with are of the view that totally eradicating the pit latrine would be a bad idea. While it is widely welcomed to install water closets and modernise the schools, there are serious implications if a somewhat simple thing is not handled with care.

To have modern toilets and no water or not an adequate supply of water can cause more serious problems than those that are said to be as a result of pit latrines.

The teachers indicate that on a day when there is no water, school is closed. I don't believe I have to describe in much detail the result of hundreds of children using toilets and having no water to flush them.

The administrators have also spoken of instances where students try to flush things that are not supposed to be disposed of in that way and toilets become blocked. To conduct repairs, very often schools have to be closed until they are complete.

Another point that we need to be mindful of is the cost of water for this purpose. At a time when schools are struggling to balance the books it may not always be possible to fund this activity.

It is my view that we do not totally eliminate pit latrines from our schools, but retain at least two as contingency when there is no water or when the toilets need to be repaired.

Gary Rowe

magnett0072004@yahoo.com

Do not discard pit latrines totally

-->

Dear Editor,

When the Prime Minister of Jamaica Portia Simpson Miller named Peter Phillips the minister of finance (technically to succeed Omar Davies, her former minister with that portfolio) it was undoubtedly the finest moment in her tenure to date.

If we were to compare the present minister's stewardship with his predecessor it would be like comparing a plate of uncooked plain rice with that of a dish of rice and peas cooked with the finest Jamaican seasonings.

If Simpson Miller had made the fatal error of retaining Davies as minister, the hell that we are going through at present would be like child's play.

What Davies did to the Jamaican economy is going to take at least two generations to repair.

The businessman's psyche has been severely damaged and he is not prepared to risk everything again to ensure he employs the most people -- as was the case some years ago.

Additionally, he has passed on this doomsday attitude to the younger generation, as they now prefer to be employed rather than to employ. This has led to a proliferation of schools offering third degrees, as everybody now believes that is the safest way to go. So we are faced with a situation of too many buyers chasing too little goods and services.

This is going to lead to unbearable inflation. A house in Portmore that used to sell for $2 million dollars is now being sold for over $10 million. A hamburger that sold for $50 has now been replaced by a patty for $120.

With all of this happening, people are still able to hang on to what little assets they have left under the Peter Phillips regime and not ending up owing banks enormous loans that cannot be repaid.

People are fast learning to live within their means and not lured by banks offering loan specials at 17 per cent, and a few months on these very same loans are attracting interest rates of 70 per cent.

Omar Davies is now the minister of transport and works and the state of the roads reflects the very same way he ran the ministry of finance.

Ken Spencer

Kingston 8

ken3_1999@yahoo.com

Phillips era better than Davies'

-->

Dear Editor,

Ever since the dismissal of the court case involving former junior energy minister Kern Spencer and his former assistant Colleen Wright I have been hearing all sorts of remarks.

Many persons have been toughting corruption, implying that the case was thrown out because of his political allegience; somehow suggesting that the presiding judge is partisan and the judgement is tainted and influenced by his party preference.

To think that such a suggestion could hold water can only be described as preposterous, utterly absurd, or even ridiculous.

Some have even made comparisons between his case and that of Vybz Kartel, crying foul because Kartel was found guilty and Kern Spencer is walking free.

Let me put forward a few fundamental differences between both cases. Firstly, one is a case of murder while the other is fraud; one of the cases was tried by jury the other was presided over by a judge. These two differences would determine how the attorneys involved would present their cases. In one instance they have only one person to convince, while in the other they would have several.

Let us also look at a few points of importance. In a court of law it is all about that which is presented and how it is presented and argued by the attorneys involved.

Cases are also decided or influenced by the mistakes made by one team and if at all that mistake is capitalised on by the opponent. If a key witness is proven to not be believable this also may sway the case in one direction or the other.

Let me take this opportunity to commend Queen's Counsel KD Knight on the way he handled his case. It is my view that they results were strongly influenced by his litigating skills. Credit must given where it is due. I believe mistakes were made by the prosecuting team that were swiftly and skilfully used by the defence to sway the case in their favour.

It is also my view that mistakes were also made by the prosecution the Vybz Kartel murder trial, but the defence in this case was not as alert to use it to their advantage.

On one case the prosecuting team made fundamental errors and in the other case the defence did blunder.

Gary Rowe

magnett0072004@yahoo.com

In law the wiser triumphs

-->

IT has been touted my Labour Minister Derek Kellier that the introduction of the flexi-workweek schedule will improve time spent with family and will only benefit the economy where productivity is concerned, especially in light of the forecasted global logistic hub.

While productivity should be encouraged, the introduction of a flexi-workweek can only have a negative impact on the family. How exactly will families spend more time together when kids go to school during the week and are at home, mainly on weekends.

Considering also that it is on the weekend that most people normally stay at home for "family time", when weekends are no more family time must be adversely affected, as well as church attendance.

In this current social climate, where morals are at an all-time low, and social upheaval is tinkering on the edge, every option should be taken to protect the crucial element of time spent in church to reflect on personal, moral and social conscience that creates a balance in the society and in one's own personal life.

Where there is an imbalance, this will only negatively affect the society, and at a time when the social fabric of our society is breaking apart every effort should be made to correct this social dilemma and we should not be working against the institution that builds good morals, attitides and values.

In light of Jamaica's Vision 2030 goal of making Jamaica the place of choice to raise families, how can Jamaica become such a place of choice where the engine of family life is set to be destroyed. The root structure of family life in Jamaica is the church, and it plays a crucial role in creating a balanced life. Where people's conscience are not pricked or awakened subconsciously, through reflection on personal and spiritual life and regular church attendance, the value system is nurtured.

Considering also the other aspects of the plan to make Jamaica the place of choice to live and do business, the breaking down of the family will only negatively impact that vision, as where the family disintegrates it will affect all strata of society, economic, physical, moral and spiritual.

So, while the Government seeks to encourage productivity with the flexi-workweek scheduling, it should not be at the expense of the breaking down of the family. Every effort must be made to protect the family unit. What should be sought therefore is a balance.

Briony Irving

ibriony@yahoo.com

http://greenbks.blogspot.com

Flexi-workweek will destroy the family

-->

Dear Editor,

Many people, including myself, are very disappointed that sentencing in the Vybz Kartel murder case was delayed for a week. However, I hope that the learned judge will hand down his decision based on the evidence presented during the long and tortuous trial and not be swayed by public opinion for or against a long prison sentence.

May I further humbly suggest that, if the law permits it, the convicted are sentenced subject to the re-appearance of Clive "Lizard" Williams, seeing they all claim they had nothing to do with his dis-appearance.

If by some fortuitous miracle this was to happen, then all of the accused men should be released the same day and they would be within their legal and constitutional rights to sue for false imprisonment.

Ken Spencer

Kingston 8

ken3_1999@yahoo.com

All without a body

-->

Dear Editor,

I am now seriously concerned that no one at the political level is representing the best interests of the Jamaican people in this planned Goat Islands development by the Chinese.

For one, I thought the Opposition would have been visible and vocal on this supposedly game-changing project, especially in light of the Government's dodgy approach about everything.

In fairness, I have heard JLP MP Gregory Mair asking the right questions which deserve answers, especially the need for more information to be revealed by the Government and the Chinese on what exactly it is they are planning to do.

Despite that, however, I am picking up a sort of willingness on the part of other Opposition members to support the Government at every level on Goat Islands, even though most Jamaicans are in the dark about what's happening. This is unacceptable.

Who then is looking out for the best interests of the Jamaican people in the House of Representatives? Are we maybe a little bit too eager to take a prize that hardly anyone knows what is inside?

The fact that what is being positioned as a project that will transform Jamaica as we know it is without solid information about the details is most frightening.

Many countries the world over are suffering from projects that have brought little benefit to people's standard of living and in many cases have brought more problems than any real good.

Beware of the proverbial Trojan horse, Jamaica.

Denisha Brown-Thames

Kingston 8

dbrownthames@outlook.com

Goat Islands Jamaica's Trojan horse?

-->

Dear Editor,

Why would anyone even have to consider whether Vybz Kartel should be allowed to record (I assume for commercial purposes) after he is sentenced to prison?

The answer should be an unequivocal no. Let him serve hard labour as penance for the dastardly act he has been convicted of — the murder of Clive Williams; chopping him up "fine, fine". Kartel should be made to understand that when he committed that crime and was convicted, he forfeited his right to dictate terms to anyone.

Are we simply saying that all our justice system is doing is changing the locale in which he will record? And will someone be in charge of vetting his lyrics, or will it be more of the same murder lingo that he has been spewing for such a long time? Kartel and others like him need to be sent the strongest signal that our society does not mollycoddle vicious murderers.

One of my regrets is that it appears we no longer require prisoners to break copious amounts of stones in the midday sun. That is how prison terms for murder should be spent.

I know there are those who say that he has family, including children, to support. He should have let that dissuade him from illegal acts. I am sure the "Worl' Boss" has already amassed a small fortune through his Gaza Empire. Let that be used to support those who depend on him.

Additionally, as far as I am concerned, and I don't know if our Courts have that power, his Empire should be made to compensate the dependents of the deceased.

If Kartel wants to "sing", let him entertain the prison population. He may just develop a whole new set of fans.

Stephen Harrison

St Mary

stepharrison28@gmail.com

No way Kartel should be recording in prison

-->

Dear Editor,

Madam Prime Minister, so loves the poor, thus she stated, come unto thee my poor children, I have abundance of “hox tail” and “mutton” for thy hungry belly. They all came running in droves to vote for her, hence the massive landside victory in the December 29, 2011 general election. During the election campaign, Madam Prime Minister preached it at the altar, that the Labour party is an uncaring government and the people are suffering.

She was given a clear mandate to right the sputtering economy with the promises of JEEP, the implementation of the National Debt Exchange (NDX), as well as tax increases. Recently the American Counselling Association and the Association of Adventist Family Life Professional conducted a study and they have concluded that some 1.1 million Jamaicans are now living below the poverty line, fuelling an intergenerational crisis. Based on this fact, we now know that Madam prime minister and her Ponzi scheme government appear to be snake-oil sales professionals. Bernard Madoff, the biggest fraudster in history would be very proud of their sales pitch to the ever gullible Jamaican populace.

Now Madam Prime Minister, history has shown that you so loved the poor, that you have now officially created more poor Jamaican citizens with your policies. I then put this to these poor Jamaicans; will you sit idle by while Rome burns and bankruptcy rapidly creeps to your doorsteps?

Or will you stand up and make your voices be heard and remind the government of Psalm 34:6 which stated, the poor man cried and the lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. Over to you Madam Prime Minister because the poor will no longer buy what you are selling, they now have God on their side.

Patrick Callum

Dear Editor,

The decision by the Ministry of Education to stop offering the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations has turned out to be both ill-advised and foolhardy.

At the time the decision was taken, the Education Ministry said the SSC examinations had lost their relevance in the society. The Ministry of Education then announced that a more relevant replacement would be a high school diploma.

The SSC examinations were introduced in the 1970s and served as an exit exam for many students after their five-year stint at the secondary level. Many years have passed since the Education Ministry first announced plans for a more relevant replacement exam, and we are still waiting to see the rolling out of the high school diploma replacement examination. Consequently, thousands of students have graduated from high schools across Jamaica without any form of certification.

The fact is, the SSC examination was very relevant. A student with a pass at range 4 or 5 could have used those subjects to matriculate into tertiary-level institutions as well as to enter the world of work. The SSC examinations primarily targeted students of non-traditional high schools who were not at the required level to sit the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams.

Nothing is wrong with having changes; especially since the process of education is constantly evolving. However, we should not have stopped the SSC examinations without first implementing a replacement examination. As we approach yet another examination period in the academic year the sad reality is that another cohort of Jamaican students will be leaving various high schools without any form of certification. We have done a grave disservice to countless numbers of poor people's children. The Ministry of Education needs to move with a sense of urgency in order to ensure that 2014 is the final year students will be graduating from high schools without having a national examination in place to certify them.

Wayne Campbell

waykam@yahoo.com

www.wayaine.blogspot.com

Certify high school graduates

-->

Dear Editor,

Politicians are often blamed for our present conundrum by persons who created a conduit for political failure due to their apathy. The issues of mismanagement and waste in the public sector are perplexing for many, but what have we done about them?

Criticise America all you want, but at least it has been fertile ground for politicial advocacy. Our civil society leaders are merely political henchmen who are able to echo public sentiment in a somewhat enlightened manner.

For example, most people can agree that corruption is a major problem, but none has been brave enough to monitor expenditure in the public sector. Some of us fear political victimisation and others would love to occupy government boards in the future. We must admit that it is difficult to change the populist culture of Jamaica, where it is a sacrosanct belief that Government must be the provider of all services. Therefore, a coalition for fiscal reform could infuse the political system with new ideals.

Jamaica needs pragmatic political leaders, not demagogues whose noble intentions will burden future generations with debt. When funds were diverted from the National Housing Trust to finance a politically expedient programme, JEEP, there was no voice to defend the rights of contributors. Our leaders seem to care more about intentions and not actual results, notwithstanding the track record of initiatives like JEEP.

According to American tax expert Chris Edwards: "Federal programmes for the unemployed and disadvantaged workers now cost $18 billion a year, yet the Government Accountability Office recently concluded that 'little is known about the effectiveness of employment and training programmes we identified'. Indeed, many studies over the decades have found that these programmes — though well intentioned — don't help the economy much, if at all."

Even when the Government is being forced to reduce spending, they have the temerity to increase the budget of JEEP from $740 million to $1.04 billion. Programmes like JEEP are not economically sustainable, therefore this Government is not really serious about fiscal reform. The Government should divest idle state-owned buildings and spend less.

The sad reality is that Jamaican voters are hostile to free-market economics, and politicians who do not conform to these ideals will not win an election. So maybe we should stop complaining because we are the architects of our own demise, or better yet citizens who really care about the future could start their own lobby group "Coalition for Fiscal Reform".

Lipton Matthews

lo_matthews@yahoo.com

We are the architects of our own demise

-->

Dear Editor,

As I stepped out of the taxi last Saturday, immediately my senses were flooded with the sights, smells and sounds of Champs. Everywhere I looked all I could see was a kaleidoscope of colours representing the hundreds of schools participating in Champs.

I rushed to the ticket office, then joined the sea of people who slowly made their way into the stadium. Once we got past the first set of security guards, we were bombarded with offers of fans and noise makers from the numerous sponsors. We eventually reached gate 10 and, finally, we were inside the stadium.

My body was covered with goose pimples as we searched eagerly for somewhere to sit. We breathed a sigh of relief when we spotted the perfect place. All this time, there were sounds of vendors, horns, screams, and vuvuzelas which made it hard for us to communicate, but we did not care. This was the final day of Champs 2014 and we were going to have a blast.

The day started with the favourites Edwin Allen leading for the girls and Calabar leading the boys' tally. The first race we saw was the Boys' Class One 400m finals. The crowd went wild as Calabar's Javon Francis demolished Usain Bolt's old record of 45.35 sec to set a new Champs record of 45.00 sec flat.

The 200m for Class Two boys was on track and the entire place went quiet. Kingston College supporters eagerly came to their feet as we were all sure Jevaughn Matherson was going to take it. As Jevaughn crossed the finish line in first place it seemed as if every single KC supporter was jumping and waving and dancing up a storm. I was beside myself with excitement. All the other 200m races were exciting, but this one was doubly so.

The scores were read and Edwin Allen and Calabar were still leading, and KC had gained some ground on JC. The flags started coming out again and the crowd got even louder. The drums went off and we started dancing. We danced for around 20 minutes before taking a rest.

The evening went on in the same fashion and then it was time for the relays. All I can say is wow! I swear my heart is still pounding from watching the relays. They were fast and furious. They were exciting and frightening to watch as we all held our breath in hope that no one would drop the baton. Luckily no one did, but unfortunately someone did false-start and my heart broke for the Jamaica College team. Two of the most exciting relays, in my opinion, were the medley relays which KC and Edwin Allen won in record times.

The final relays, the 4x400, were the last events, and boy were they worth waiting for! Those relays were the perfect ending to a fabulous week of events. In the end, Calabar and Edwin Allen emerged victorious. And, while I was over the moon that Edwin Allen won, I was a little bit sad that KC didn't. I must congratulate Calabar, however, for a well deserved win. They performed extremely well and won convincingly. Kudos, of course, to Kingston College for remaining true to their motto. You fought hard all the way to the end and you never once gave up. I will forever remain a KC fan.

Edwin Allen are true champions. They came back from last year's defeat and won in style. Hats off to all the athletes who participated in this year's events. Thank you for entertaining us and representing your schools so admirably.

All in all, it was a fantastic Champs and I can hardly wait for next year.

Kenisha Williams

blog: kennykk.weebly.com

Champs was fantastic!

-->

Dear Editor,

I am currently pursuing studies in social work and I have come to the realisation that this career choice has not been getting the proper recognition it deserves here in Jamaica. There are so many people who have contributed significantly and there are still many doing so.

The decision to study social work has been a great one, knowing that I will be helping those who are unable to function normally and who might have believed that they aren't able to get a second chance of having a normal life.

Social workers have big gaps to fill in society as there are many broken homes in Jamaica. There are so many who need help emotionally, spiritually, sexually, physically and they need help to be able to function within their communities, workplace and schools. If individuals had someone confidential to share their issues with, and having the confidence that there could be hope for them or their loved ones, instead of turning to violence or abuse of each other, what a wonderful place this would be.

Many of those who need this help are not aware of the services provided by social workers. That is why there are so many issues facing us as a nation, which contributes to us not being able to move forward as positively as we should. The powers that be should see to it that social workers are assigned to every household, whether the family or the individual is able to function normally or not.

Jamaica, we all need to start recognising how important social work is to a country, communities, schools, workplaces, and homes.

Keisha Marie Rhoden

kmrhoden52@gmail.com

Social workers needed for every home

-->

Dear Editor,

I am a Calabar old boy who is a staunch supporter of his school and a real "fanatic" of track and field. I totally agree with the sentiments expressed in your editorial, 'Whither the practice of overworking our young athletes' with respect to Javon Francis and other athletes.

If Usain Bolt had gone to a so-called "big name" track and field school it is likely that he would have been overworked like other outstanding student-athletes. Fortunately, he went to a school that was never in contention for a Champs title, and therefore ran only two individual events and, at most, two relays. Had he been to a major track and field school, would we still have the gift that he is now to the country and to track and field?

I was involved with his school at the time and was aware of the great care with which Bolt was treated by the school and the coaching staff. William Knibb knew, long before Jamaica at large was aware, the special talent it had in its hands.

I never forgot the experience of the outstanding Neil Gardner. Super-talented, Gardner did the heptathlon, high jump, long jump, triple jump, and 110 hurdles, plus sprint relays. In 1993, I sat in the stands at the Stadium stunned at what I saw. Gardner was the favourite for most of his individual events, including the high jump and 110 hurdles Class 1. He completed a round in the high jump then had to sprint for more than 100 metres for the start of the 110 hurdles, where the athletes were about to go into their blocks. He ran his heart out in the race and came second, then had to return to complete the high jump.

Kingston College — or was it Racers? — had the good sense to pull the super-talented Zharnel Hughes out of the 200m after concerns about his health arose after the 100m. Why could not the same be done for Francis after the 400m?

Coaches and schools need to look to the athlete's possible future contribution to their country and their own livelihood and not just momentary glory.

Eron Henry

Alexandria, USA

eronhenry@yahoo.com

Coaches must think long term

-->

Dear Editor,

The guilty verdict handed down by the Home Circuit Court to whom many idolised as the 'World Boss', and his co-accused, is the dawning of a new day in the history of which many claimed to be the institution of injustice.

This judicious prudence has nullified the entrenched perception in Jamaica that it is easier to kill a man with a blank bullet than to convict an affluent individual, or maybe in the distant future a parliamentarian.

Indeed, this trial had commanded global attention with two competing loyalties. On the one hand was Vybz Kartel and his cronies, while on the other, under the telescopic lens of an international tribunal, was our justice system put to work.

Most certainly, this verdict has put many into disarray, and some catapulted into a sleep of denial. With the presented evidence, a win for Kartel would be a colossal loss of credibility for our justice system. What is sure, the precedence is established, and no artiste in Jamaica, in spite of proclaimed fame, can be so nefarious, and believe that any demonic forces, or otherwise, can extricate them in the Home Circuit Court on King Street, Kingston, Jamaica.

Ultimately, this conviction should serve as a cognitive model used to restructure the premeditated thoughts of committing murder. Crime does not pay, there is no remuneration for the loss of life; once you take the life of anyone, irrespective of the victim's socioeconomic status, no amount of public sentiment, proper disposal of the body, or learned representatives can remove the shackles of the law and reclaim your innocence when the presiding judge completes his summation to a group of well-thinking Jamaicans who have benefited from our formal education system.

May the mercy of God be with you on the day of sentencing.

Ian Henry

Scott's Hall, St Mary

ianhenrya@yahoo.com

Vybz Kartel shackled by the law

-->

Dear Editor,

A recent Observer article published on March 24, 2014, entitled "English lessons for Jamaica" is quite interesting. Some people are of the view that it was a bold move by Ronald Thwaites, but there are diverse opinions.

Jamaica is said to be an English-speaking country, however, I believe this is hardly the case. It is just like saying that Jamaica is a Christian country. This is not entirely so.

If one should really examine the issue, one would conclude that it is a challenge to get Jamaican students to communicate properly in Standard English, whether orally or in writing.

There is, however, a significant misconception that I think should be clarified. The programme is not to teach Jamaican teachers English, it will solely be based on pedagogy, which is acquiring the expertise to teach what they know. Pedagogy has to do with the various methodologies one employs in the classroom in order to deliver content effectively. As an educator, I must emphasise that pedagogical skills are very inconsequential. If the minister sees the need for this programme to be initiated, it simply means then that our teachers' colleges are ineffective and that should be of much concern. This will also mean that the curriculum in the colleges needs to be revised.

English language is very dynamic and evolutionary, and it should be treated as we do Spanish, that is, as a second language. It is not to be conceived that Jamaican teachers do not know English; for there are teachers in Jamaica who have an excellent command of the English Language. However, the environment influences how one expresses oneself, and that has a major impact on students. People are products of their environments.

The article conveys an important fact: "Generally speaking, when the kids go home, their parents speak to them in Jamaican patois, and they communicate 90 per cent of their life in Jamaican patois. So when they are in the school environment they should have had a sterile environment in terms of learning English or speaking it properly." This is one of the main problems we as educators face on a daily basis. If students only communicate in English in classrooms, when they go home it is like that is all forgotten. That is what happened to me when I was a student.

Another concern is that teachers are pressured to get "results" rather than teaching students to learn. Students must complete a syllabus and pass exams. The Jamaican culture is not conducive to the use of English language, oftentimes people are viewed differently or chastised for speaking English.

I sincerely believe that to help alleviate the problem the use of English language should be emphasised within the home and in the general environment outside of the classroom. We have to learn to 'dance ah yard before wi dance abroad'.

Kenroy Davis

kenroy_davis13@yahoo.com

I beg your pardon, English lesson?

-->

Dear Editor,

We must all be very pleased that INDECOM has denied the suggestions made by the public defender that there was an inability on the commission's part to secure the weapons of the members of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) involved in the 2010 Tivoli operation. INDECOM goes on to say that the JDF has been "...very cooperative in the investigations".

As one who has had the privilege of being a member of the JDF I expected nothing less and would encourage the present leadership to preserve the legacy of transparency and truthfulness of the JDF, even under the most difficult of conditions.

I will continue to maintain that the Tivoli inquiry, once it gets going, can be one of the better things to happen to the JDF for its future. However, this will very much depend on the focus of the inquiry and the JDF's own attitude to the proceedings. Any attempt at deception or cover-up could lead to a loss of credibility and public confidence, and naturally resultant is ineffectiveness.

Having said that, if the terms of reference of the commission of inquiry are not precise enough and, as a consequence, open the conduct of the proceedings to becoming a grand witch-hunt of individuals to be put on trial, then it will become an adversarial-type tribunal as opposed to an inquisitorial. In other words, this inquiry should not be to establish the guilt or innocence of individuals, but to establish the truth of what took place in Tivoli Gardens that resulted in the deaths of over 73 civilians. If the commission proceeds to be adversarial, the commissioners will have to rely on parties to present opposing views, and at the end of the day they will have to rely on only that evidence provided by the opposing parties, and then declare on who has won the legal contest, possibly without establishing the truth.

We must have the truth if we are to prevent a recurrence and to preserve the integrity of, in particular, the JDF.

Colonel Allan Douglas

Kingston 10

alldouglas@aol.com

Tivoli enquiry must seek nothing but the truth

-->