Dear Editor,
In the days ahead, some ministers must step forward with far reaching, if not radical, programmes, to address some of the more urgent issues of this society. I share a few thoughts.
The Honourable Minister of Education should introduce proposals that impact his portfolio and the lives of many, from the young to the old. There ought to be a breakaway from the CXC. It has failed (dumbed down) the children; blights the competitiveness of the youthful; and undermines the potential of this nation. The high-flying statistics represent little in terms of depth; this is widely accepted. It is time to go a different route.
Simultaneously, a fair compensation package should be finalised for teachers; and while doing so, the minister should seek to neutralise the lessons ole higue that pitilessly suck the children, and frighten worried parents. Demand that each public school teacher disclose lesson activity, and that they execute an appropriate attestation. Failure to comply leads to sanctions. Further, prior written permission must be sought for any teacher wishing to hold such classes anywhere at any time. These approvals must be centralised at the ministry and granted on an exception basis only, with reasons affixed.
It is time that the exploitations of public trust, taxpayers’ financing, income tax fraud, fire safety regulations, and academic abuse (if not violence) cease. Second, the Honourable Minister of Finance must come up with policies and procedures that curtail and recapture the massive leakage of revenues into the coffers of peoples and places other than the state. An example should suffice. Although prevailing market prices can change on imported goods, there is usually a band within which these prices operate. It cannot be a hundred dollars a unit for me and twenty dollars per unit for the same commodity for others.
Something has to be wrong there with such wide, distorted, and manufactured valuations and declarations. Declarations must align with embedded computerized price ranges, and not be left to the discretion (or worse) of Customs personnel. The temptation is too great, and trouble becomes irrepressible. This cheats the government, delegitimises competition, and enriches a few. On a related note, declarations must account for every item within those containers.
I think that a system driven scheme can be built, implemented, and maintained. It will deliver “Exception Reports” and provide a paper trail as to who overrode or bypassed flagged developments, thus providing evidence for closer scrutiny or discipline. Also, the increased revenues will pay multiple times over for all related expenses, and still bring much needed money to the state. Zero tolerance should be the standard for cheats, whether commercial or official. One strike means there is the door; forgiveness is not an option. Make such policies public, and then enforce them fairly, consistently, and across-the board.
The first recommendation on education saves the children; the second to finance earns money. The third one that follows now calls for spending.
The Minister of Public Infrastructure must spearhead a designing and delivery of a signature plan which addresses traffic woes.
Bypasses, overpasses, detours or alternative routes, feeder roads, have to be part of an eclectic planning and engineering vision. This business of more lanes helps for a bit, and for a time. There has to be more, there has to be more of an aerial appreciation, best attained through a comprehensive network, with nothing off limits, inclusive of railways, ferries, a national transportation system in either government or, preferably, private hands. This is a lot and mighty expensive. As an aside, it is ironic that in a land of so many waters that almost everything moves by road.
These are three areas highlighted today. Much work has to be done, and great will is required. A lasting legacy for the better could be left. Other portfolios and other recommendations will follow at another time.
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall
