Dear Editor,
I read an article written by a Terrence Blackman (Guyana’s tribalism and competence) who posed an interesting question. He asked how we can effectively and efficiently use Guyana’s oil revenues to improve the state of general and public services, including infrastructure and education in Guyana and the Caribbean, while avoiding the mistakes made by other petrostates. It’s a complex question that requires careful consideration of several important factors. One thing that could help is increasing awareness and education in our country, so that everyone can learn about the available opportunities to drive economic prosperity for both individuals and the nation as a whole.
Education for social transformation can bring a positive change in our society and can help in resolving social challenges if adopted holistically. It’s high time that our leaders focus on education reforms that aim at transforming society rather than just focusing on personal achievements and growth of individuals. It’s true that not everyone can achieve certification, education, and training leading to quality work, and therefore, we should also recognize the value of those who pursue other means of attaining success. Their contributions are equally important and add to the prosperity of our country. It’s essential to add value to the goods, services, and experiences they provide to create a more inclusive society.
It’s important to acknowledge the problems that exist within our communities, schools, and workplaces in Guyana, especially as the country experiences growth in its oil revenues. By conducting an organized inquiry into these issues, we can gain valuable knowledge that will inform our strategies for addressing them. However, as the economy evolves and more businesses seek to capitalize on the demand for commodities, goods, services, and experiences, it’s crucial that we don’t forget about the people who are most disadvantaged. We must work towards creating a fair and just society that benefits everyone, not just those who can afford rising costs.
It is unfortunate that people living in the bottom rung of society are often stigmatized and blamed for their condition. The use of derogatory terms only adds insult to injury. Recently, a politician accused an opposition MP of having these characteristics, which caused offense to many. While some may choose to ignore such statements, it is important to consider how those living in this social rung must feel. It is essential to remember the categorical imperative – if you do an action, then everyone else should also be able to do it. This means that we should be mindful of the words we use and the impact they can have on others. No one should be made to feel ashamed or inferior due to their social status or circumstances beyond their control. We should strive to create a society that is fair and just for all, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status.
To avoid the mistakes of other countries, we need to provide more business focused educational opportunities to youths who may not have had the chance to achieve financial freedom before. Unfortunately, Guyana’s school system seems to be designed to sort individuals out rather than helping them learn and grow. This leaves many uneducated or uninterested in learning, which is a shame. Society is structured in such a way that there are top schools that engender competitive behaviours to enter, which only adds to the problem. It seems like education and social inequality have become somewhat of a law of nature in Guyana. Students are rewarded by the school they attend while others are punished, and we are taught that rewards and punishment are the result of individual efforts. It’s time to rethink our approach to education and create a system that truly fosters growth and development for all.
Similarly with our economy, we can argue that under the universalizability principle, we cannot ignore the fact that many people are struggling to afford the rising cost of living due to the self-serving actions of some businesses, the government, and individuals.
As such, it’s crucial to address these issues before we can reap benefits that can uplift the lives of all Guyanese. Although there are national strategies in place that promote economic freedom, such as access to land ownership, these actions may not provide the necessary speed and time for people to improve their circumstances.
It’s important to have a comprehensive education strategy that can help all Guyanese take advantage of the new oil wealth. Social studies and concepts may not be of much interest to people in communities who simply want to benefit from our growth and financial independence. It’s important to address core educational issues that can help us understand our economy and society better. I believe that out-of-classroom educational activities can be a great way to achieve this goal and provide a better understanding of our country – the current economic system.
Sincerely,
Dr. Dustin Fraser
