There needs to be a rethink of how education is offered to hinterland areas

Dear Editor,

The season of euphoria for the top performers at the NGSA is presently upon us. On social media we are seeing parents and students who topped the country and their respective regions posing with our Minister of Education and other government officials. But spare a thought for the parents of those brilliant young minds from the hinterland who must be torn over deciding what’s best for their children as they prepare for secondary school life. Because the overwhelming majority will have to leave their happy homes and spend the next five years or more living in dormitories if they are to attend the schools they achieved.

Less than two months ago twenty young children from hinterland locations tragically lost their lives in a dormitory fire. Their parents placed their faith in the system and sent their children to live in that dormitory. Never in their wildest dreams did they ever expect it to end so tragically. The grieving parents of those innocent souls were probably in euphoria just like the parents today. They must have envisioned grand things for their children and were willing to make the necessary sacrifices to ensure their children achieved the best education. Oh how they must be now tearfully regretting the decision they took. Then there is also the case of the young lady involved in the allegations with a former government minister. Five years ago she was the toast of the government because of her top performance at NGSA. Now look how that has panned out.

So is sending your child to a secondary school away from the comfort of their home and way of life really worth it? Why, after more than fifty years of independence, does this still have to happen? What reassurances has the Ministry of Education given to the parents of these young children that their children will be safe? Will parents actually believe these officials when not one government official has been held culpable for neither the mass deaths at the Mahdia dormitory nor the alleged sexual assault by a goverment offiical? One letter writer recommended that all primary schools in the hinterland should have secondary tops so the children can undertake their secondary studies right at home. This seems like a brilliant idea and should be aggressively pursued by the government. Just ensure that trained teachers are assigned to these secondary tops. And find a way to work around labs or whatever areas that need specialized facilities.

We are a country supposedly rolling around in oil dollars. Let it work for the people; especially the most vulnerable. Billions of dollars are also coming from carbon credits. Most of these credits are acquired from in or around hinterland communities. Use some of that money to decentralize education. The tragedy at Mahdia dormitory should be a wakeup call to the government that there needs to be a rethink of how education is offered to hinterland areas. Use of dormitories and forcing children to leave the comfort of their home environment should be avoided at all costs. At least start a dialogue to see if there are other viable alternatives. The parents and children of hinterland communities deserve at least this after what has transpired over the past few months.

Sincerely,

(Name and Address Withheld)