Editorial
For years now and aggressively in recent years the Ministry Education has been searching for ways to improve on the education system in Montserrat. One of the issues has been the decay of discipline and behavior of the children in the schools. Another has been that children have been retiring from the Montserrat Secondary School unable to read and write. And recently we hear about quality of teaching as against quality teachers.
The problem is not so much that this signifies it is the general rule, but rather that it is the case at all, with all the support, technical and otherwise that are available. Not to mention, the numerous workshops. Recently we hear an emphasis being put on the quality of teaching saying there are quality teachers. The problem is that the emphasis is placed wrongly. It is like searching the body all over for the sores when the soul, the head is really the part that is rotting, or has rotted.
The problem really is as we have been saying with the system, the church and perhaps the biggest, the parents. The big one though takes us into reverse. What it really points to is, the adult population has allowed the excuses of the stresses of the volcanic crisis, and poor mis-inspired leadership to make them into a fearful and ignorant people. They have allowed this need to provide for their children, to blind them to the more important things of preparing them to be better than they are as parents. This may even sound simple but it may also be complex. And no, this is definitely not one hundred per cent the case.
Parents, it is well known that those who spend time with, pay attention to their school work, on the job at university, wherever, end up with the brighter and better-off children.
It is for that reason that for many years now we have been advocating that the time is more upon us for a rigorous plan of educating the people.
It is not educating the people to hand down the information that the authorities, those in power wish so to do. It is worse when those who boast and say, “The people do not like to read” as well as, “oh it is/was on the radio”, or “it is on the internet.”
This very day a public servant lamented they had not seen The Montserrat Reporter (TMR) online, noting that the updates are not soon enough. When questioned, they only have the opportunity to check this when in their office, which meant they did not see that since Friday night the updates had been forthcoming even sooner than usual, because we managed to get the Christmas issue at the outlets that same evening. This also meant unless they bought the print copy she had to wait until today Wednesday to check it online.
This is such a telling story and there are many more of greater magnitude, the internet is not that readily available or accessible to many, not even to those who do read and would like to read, to be rushing to tell people, we are saving money by putting it online; it is online (on the internet). That money saving business is in fact not the truth. Besides, where it is put on the internet is also very crucial, and that is where education is crucial. There has to be a process.
We have said time and time again, as we hear the words ‘economy and economic progress’ and all related thereto, ask even the seemingly intelligent and hear what they have to say about it. It is a well-known saying, that “knowledge is power.” Is that what our current leaders are afraid of? Are we going back there? It is a cover-up of ill-intent to attempt to cut corners, pretending to provide information that educate children and people to enhance their knowledge. That is so important that more money doing so will mean a better economically sensible people. Let’s herald in the New Year with a desire to educate and beneficially stimulate the people.
