Electing community leaders

Look, I know that in offering comment on such issues, I should be more scientific, analytical and given to supportive statistics.

Though I respect those formal, academic methodologies, my unlettered approaches tend to be a bit more anecdotal and leaning on practical, actual observations and experiences, (Look, if statistics show, analytically, that 5,000 members attended church last weekend and 300,000 students were in schools last month, those statistics, by themselves, might not indicate behaviour, preferences or implications. Even more surveys, different questions and data have to be appended.)

When statistics are not telling the whole story, they may even lie! But what exactly am I going on about? It merely has to do with that recently-revealed UNDP Guyana study which indicated that “Guyanese young men are not interested in education to elevate themselves…”

Let me record, up front, that I know some senior actors in officialdom who have rejected the findings of the study–wholly or partially.

But such findings are bound to provoke interest and comment by a variety of citizens – concerned patriots, educators, parents, sociologists, economists and the government’s officialdom. And certainly, we’ve been hearing this for a few years now: “Guyanese and Caribbean males are lagging behind in schools. Girls are becoming the region’s educated achievers”. Messages to that effect!
Guyana boys…

Every time I read of the success of the Queen’s College or Bishops or Leonora, etc, at regional and other periodic exams, I am forced to wonder about the fate and status of the hundreds who the “statistics” would list as having participated in those same exams. Scores are successful but hundreds fall through the cracks. But we must be as rational and objective as we can be when evaluating the Stats. How much is the education system to be blamed? Or are our Guyanese boys, especially, indifferent to education, in fact?

This latest study points to their indifference, even rejection, of formal education. Grassroots observation reveals young males, in towns, villages, and hinterland communities “hustling a dallah especially after say, age 14! And yes, there are various causes – affordability, family dysfunction, and need for food, clothes, and other necessities for survival. But, Frankly Speaking, my support co-incides with the reasons given by a recent letter-writer.

Our boys are severely influenced, I feel, by the following: No strong old-fashion morality which teaches the value of education, the “returns” to be made by violence/crime as depicted daily and graphically by our mass media, (Believe it or not) the blind-eye by some (single) parents who welcome their boys’ criminal loot, the lure and fashion of “Gansta” gun crimes where guns are available and Drugs Barons build big houses, sponsor concerts and sports events and are recognised by even officialdom, and yes, the perception, by even our boys, that very “big ones” collaborate with or commit crime in their own country.

I’ll eschew the temptation to link the politics of corruption to boys’ crime, or to pass judgment specifically on “Black” or “Indian Youth”. I leave you to suggest remedies. But I mention here two points raised at the Ministry of Youth recently: (1) if the UNDP Report is indeed criticizing the use of sport, or too much of it, as contributory to our boys downplaying education, I too disagree. Wise heads know just how to motivate youth towards education through sport.

Secondly, when our 15/16 year olds veer towards the Technical/Vocational Programmes being offered, does it mean early drop-out rates with respect to more formal education? If so shouldn’t those programmes include basic academic subjects too? (I left teaching decades ago so assist me – and our boys!)
Innocence? Cameras and Coke!

Mark and I were discussing my usual distress. That even good friends would be wary of what they take to the USA when I ask them to carry a few gifts.

I no longer send my daughters their sugar-cakes, tamarind balls or small –bottle rum “grenades”. I open all envelopes being taken.

Innocent gifts are “innocent” no more, thanks to the actions and reputation of Guyanese cocaine couriers. Lord! One evil guy even told a friend to purchase the liquor for/by himself. The catch was the liquor store seller had particular bottles waiting for the identified friend! (Believe that one?)

One can’t comment on current court cases. But I can ask these questions: Who and where are the controllers of the airport surveillance cameras? Could dog-handlers know when their junkie/sniffer dogs discover coke? What is “a fair and strong court”? So the poor commander knows where some 125 “backtrack” border crossings are located? (poor us).
Electing community leaders

What local government? The coming elections are simply, but crucially, for Guyanese in 71 areas to choose community leaders. I’ll return to this often, but I state this: though I am of a strange faraway disposition right now, I think those eligible should vote.

Genuine elected community leaders can them be made to be truly accountable to the grass root folks who put them in authority. Then their every role must be scrutinized weekly by their constituents.

But when the “crash course” in the electoral system is done, will the Parliament enact the vital two other reforms? To control funds and to really administer with minimum ministerial intervention?

‘Til Next week!

(comments? allafenty@yahoo.com)