Dear Editor,
A report on a presentation by Major-General (rtd) Joe Singh, the CEO of GT&T and Ms Faith Harding at a symposium hosted by the youth arm of the PNCR is worth reading (Guyana Times November 27 page 3). The views of both presenters highlighted issues which affect us as a nation, and should be seriously addressed by the institutions mentioned.
However, I tend to disagree with the CEO’s statement that there has been no progress in Guyana since Independence, and further that when he looks around Guyana, it is the same way as when he left school many years ago.
According to the Concise Oxford Dictionary, 1995 edition, ‘progress’ is defined as (a) forward or onward movement; (b) development towards betterment and (c) move or be moved forward or onward.
The CEO must therefore explain, based on the explanations obtained from the dictionary, what he meant when he said that Guyana had not made any progress since Independence.
I wish also to request that the Ministry of Education use the CEO’s statement as a topic for the schools’ debating competition.
The CEO of GT&T should be a member of the panel of judges for the competition.
Yours faithfully,
CS Vaughn MSM
Major (retired)
Joe Singh is playing VS Naipaul.
I know both of those dudes are educated -we need the facts. There is no need for them to debate, it is a free society. Let the powers to be do something to change the perception, if Joe Singh take on the situation is found to be incorrect.
The notes is from an article published ob September 12, 2008, link provided. Did anyone answer the question? The stats are sad reminder that we have gone to the dogs in terms of education.
About eight years ago, in 2000, a survey was done among 9, 10 and 11year-olds in some primary schools that suggested that 36% of the students surveyed were unable to recognize two-and three-letter words.
A previous survey (possibly in 1998) among 14 to 25 year-old out-of-school youths (who accounted for 24% of the population), revealed that (an astonishing) 89% of them possessed a literacy level lower than what is required for them to function effectively in the society.
Eight years on, we are anxious to know the current state of literacy among our people. The 9, 10 and 11 year-olds in 2000 are now 17, 18 and 19 year-olds and presumably searching for employment.
http://www.stabroeknews.com/letters/what-are-the-literacy-statistics-for-guyana/
we may have been better off govern by the british!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree with you in some aspects. of countability, government to it’s citizens and not agroup of high school students who is running the country
I am thinking of leading a movement to bring back the British and ask the Americans and Canadians to help govern Guyana. Seriously. Screw indepdence. What have we gained as a people since 1966? Seriousl folks! Nothing but headaches and heartaches and disappointments!
Look, over half a million Guyanese are living in one of the ABC countries, and without these three counries making direct financial and materials contributions or Guyanese from any of these three ABC countries sending home remittances and barrels, Guyana would never be able to stay afloat!
And Jagdeo always in New York!
Joe Singh is talking about no progress over the last 16 year,
he is right Mr Vaughn.
When Mr Vaughn and Singh is gointo make a statement on
the Guyana Defence Force “Torturing” allegations ?, I have
never heard of such a thing during the time that you guys
serve the army.
Was anybody independent in Guyana after 1966? If you say so it is a flat out lie.
A few yrs ago I would’ve jumped on you and massacred you for your colonial-mindedness. But a little bit older, more pragmatic and seeing with mine own eyes for myself what could have been, if only, if only, if only …. but as you’ve said only headaches, heartaches and disappointments… and praying for a real light, and not an illusion, at the end of the tunnel.