The wastage of minds

A mind is a terrible thing to waste. And 2006 has begun with a continuance of this insidious wastage of the young minds of this country. The picture of students protesting at two schools in the southland send a deplorable message of reprehensible waste and neglect.

“In 2005, emphasis was placed on quality in the delivery of education and building and education system that is modern, relevant and responsive to the changing demands of an environment driven by social and economic needs,” beautifully stated by the pundits and consultants at the Education Ministry.

Lofty plans and promises that hit and missed; it missed about 14 schools with life-threatening conditions of decaying buildings, weak floorings and, in the case of Elswick Presbyterian, “you must walk carefully on the floor to prevent yourself from falling through,” said a distraught PTA member.

In true political rhetoric, a proposal was made to rebuilt the 50-year-old Elswick Presbyterian School.

A promise was made to teachers and students that a new building would decorate their neighbourhood by January 2006. Promise broken.

But wait. Orlando Nagessar, chairman of the Presbyterian School Board Building Committee said, “that is out of the board’s hands…engineers employed with the ministry are actually involved in a study of the area…whatever they recommend, we are willing to go along with as a board.”

Sounds like a heavy dose of procrastination.

What has ever happened to the Education Facilities Company established in March 2002 with a promise “to fast-track the school construction programme?”

The story of Belmont Boys’ RC School which had to be shut down by the TTUTA in March 2005 for “unsafe conditions” and the La Pastora Government Primary School which had to be closed because of dilapidated conditions are indictment of failure by any such company to improve conditions.

It bears testimony to wanton disregard for the lives and safety of the children of this nation. And who is to be held accountable? Who will be held accountable if the dilapidated wooden structure adjacent to the Kanhai Presbyterian School falls causing death or injuries?

In 2005, Bourg Mulatresse RC School protested about absent teachers. Monkey Town Government School appealed for a modern school. And one of the local papers reported about protest actions at Pt Fortin Anglican and continuing dissatisfaction about absent teachers in other schools. And what has happened to the much-talked about substitute teachers’ programme?

“Not yet on stream,” was the answer.

Plans, promises and procrastinations.

A plan to implement a viable substitute programme was set in motion. A commendable effort was in place to rectify a faulty system that continues to damage young minds. The plan was scrapped, “to concentrate fully on dealing with teacher absenteeism and the introduction of an incentive programme.”

Today, teacher absenteeism continues unabated. And who is watching the sheep?

Promises to better the state of teachers have left some demoralised and others, hopelessly dumbfounded.

One I Hosein stated that, “four months since some teachers have not been paid and up to 16 months arrears are being owed to teachers.”

Another said, “My colleagues and I have been visiting the ministry at least once a month and calling at least twice a week for several months now. We were transferred at least five times. No one wants to give their names.”

Does this speak of “fine-tuning” the system? Are we really building a modern and responsive education system?

A promise was made to provide “free tertiary education for all the first day of the new term.” It drew positive reactions from excited parents and an elated student body.

The motion should have been set in place during the Christmas break and ready to go on that first day. Not so. In fact, “we are still waiting and the existing arrangement will be applied until further notice.” Procrastination?

As a life-long member of the education fraternity, I share a burden for those young minds entrusted in the care and academic nourishment provided by effective administrators, motivated teachers and caring parents.

The business of schools is to produce work that engages students, that is so compelling that students persist when they experience difficulties, and that is so challenging that students have a sense of accomplishment, of satisfaction—indeed, of delight—when they successfully accomplish the tasks assigned.

At the pace we are going of plans that are ineffective; of promises made and broken with impromptu excuses and of procrastinations that retard this “modern” thrust into the year 2020, it is little wonder that a vast number of the populace has become apathetic and prefers social hibernation to collaboration and involvement.

But, who knows, 2006 may see us changing lanes for rapid progress and betterment.

Dr Harold Mahabir is an international education consultant.