Normally on a Sunday morning, I peruse various news publications. I have just been reading the Montserrat Reporter and was very warmed by the number of headlines about education on the island that were being featured.
It is then that I started to think back on Montserrat’s long standing tradition of excellence in education. Our educational system and the results from such have always been in the top quartile of performance in the Eastern Caribbean. Apart from the academic achievement of the island’s youths, there were also high achievers in sports and a host of other extra-curricular activities.
I recall too that discipline was of paramount importance and the best example of behavioural attitudes was expected from all students. Of course, I am not saying that the system was perfect but that system has borne individuals of great acclaim throughout various sectors of our society and also on the international stage. I am sure that many of us were proud to wear our various school uniforms.
As we take a look now at the current stalemate in which we find ourselves as a country, the education and socialising of our young people is still of significance today as it was in previous years. I am not saying that our educational system is now mediocre by any means. But I do not think that I need to highlight in this article some of the reported instances of indiscipline and bad behaviour that we have heard reports coming forward on.
The long term success of Montserrat as a viable country requires educational development and planning to reflect the changes in the structure of our society. Without a doubt such forward thinking is critical and should be viewed as a vital footstool for progress.
I am drawn to sight the example of a country far removed from ours, but still I think there are starking similarities. Japan, after the devastation endured during the last world war sought to guarantee the long term sustainability of their island state and proceeded to invest heavily into the educational development of its people. The benefits were not immediate as that country was in the throws of redevelopment and rebuilding infrastructure that was destroyed due to bombings.
However, what fascinates me about Japan’s example is that it is clear that the politicians who were governing that country at that point in time were visionaries. Additionally, I would dare to say that they were not defeatist in any measure to assume complacency and an attitude of economic dependency on the West. The educational and social investment in Japan’s youth & people was executed so proficiently that Japan emerged to be one of the world’s strongest economies lasting way into the early stages of the 21st century.
I say into the early stages of the 21st century as I think it is important that I mention here that Japan’s economy has nose-dived over the past 8 years or so. Analysis has shown that that dip is due more to fiscal irresponsibility, changes in attitude of its current workforce and inept political leadership.
The model Japan has shown is that if your people are one of your prime resources then it is vital that proper planning and investment be dedicated towards getting the educational system competitive in order to prepare the youths for the challenges of the future. So too we must seek to prepare the youths of Montserrat for the responsibilities of our future and theirs. Of course, we may not become another Japan, but they showed the power of what educating your people can do.
I would encourage all Montserrations whether home or abroad to do whatever possible to contribute towards Montserrat's redevelopment.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't matter the size of the contribution, what is rather important is us coming together as a people working towards one set objective.
I totally agree with you on this, educational development and planning is imperative.
Especially a higher level of education made affordable to our people back whom who wish to but are not able to afford to.
You right on point with this. Education is always the way forward for any society. It's just for the people, especially the politicians to realize this so that we can advance Montserrat.
ReplyDeleteBut I guess its the willingness and the attitude of each individual. Full time we get out of this mindset we have of waiting on people to do things for us, then we complain when we don't get what we want. We need to start do things and make things happen.
So just rise up my people, wise up my people, time to open your eyes up my people...bless
I totally agree with you. The importance of a good education cannot be emphasized enough. As of recent I have been concerned as to whether the teachers who are currently in Montserrat are qualified to provide a level of education for our children. I know since the majority of Stratians have relocated, many who are now teachers would not have been given the time of day under normal situations.
ReplyDeleteJeevan, how can we gaurantee that our children receive the most qualified educators in light of the fact that the majority who are qualified are no longer there? Should we just settle or are there any measures we can take to correct this?
I have been alerted that the scholarship system in Montserrat is not effective. Many in the past who have received scholarships have not kept up their end of the deal to return and serve the country. Many who do receive scholarships now, I have been made known, that they are not performing well overseas. Should non-Montserratians who live in Montserrat be eligible for scholarships also? I understand that currently they are not. What is your take on this?
Main point, many Montserratians were not given the opportunity.
ReplyDeleteMontserratians always praised foreigners and treated them with a lot more respect.
As a Montserratian I believe that anyone who invest in Montserrat should be given the opportunity to further develop themselves.
In the same breathe, I would say attitudes needs to change towards our own fellow Montserratians.
Equality is a must , not who you know get you up!
While I agree with you Jeevan on education, here in Montserrat we have all kinds of competing priorities. Now we have to be thinking of how to recover the millions that were poorly invested.
ReplyDeleteSelfishness seems to be our hallmark. The government can't do it all, we as a people have to put something back. Money, time and skills have to be invested in or youth. To whom much has been given much is expected. So those who got scholarships should be first in line to give back.
Those who have done well finacially often did not do lots of studying and feel a slight grudge but should be encouraged to help too. Those who benefited from the opportunities in the UK because of the volcano should give back too. King Kenzie sang about Montserrat "Ah you who taught us how to struggle and survive. Anything we do is in the intrest of you" Let's make those words true if we love this island.
Hey CH,
ReplyDeleteI do agree with your point that government cannot do it all. I for one am an advocate of citizens seeking ways to help themselves rather than always expecting the governmnet to do it all. But don't you think CH, that this dependence that we have on government to fix all of our problems is part of the historical legacy of colonialism that is engrained in our island mentality? I would love to hear your thoughts on that.
Regarding individuals breaking the bonds of their scholarships; I fully respect your view that much is given so much should be expected. However, my thought immediately at this juncture CH, is that it surely must be something other than just selfishness perhaps, something not appealing back home why thesd persons do not want to return.
Do not get me wrong here, I am not saying I condone such actions but I think that there are many facets to this whole notion of giving back. I think that yes, Montserratians en masse should be occupying positions of influence back home and should be the ones that are leading the charge of redevelopment. The question that I ask though is do we not think there must be tangible incentives & also do we not think that a plan for Montserrat's future should be promoted to the diaspora so that they too can buy into the hopes for the future? What do you think?
CJ,
ReplyDeleteNo,it is not wise to settle when it comes to the education of our island's youth. Remember these are the leaders, workforce, educators etc of the future that are, if you like, in training.
If teachers are not up to required standards, then I am sure that there must be some means of training that can be provided to them to improve their overall teaching skills. Under no circumstance should the education of our youths be a situation of settling for mediocre. That would be a folly and a condemnation for Montserrat's future.
You ask about non Montserratian's being having across the board access to receive scholarships. Well, frankly I think like receiving citizenship of Montserrat, then also qualifying period should be enforced, preferably something in line with the same length of time it takes them to be naturalized Montserratians. But to give it to individuals who are non Montserratians on the basis that they now live there I do not think is advisable. Do share your thoughts if you disagree with me on this one.
Of course, situations may be unique & those should be taken on merit. However to grant access to scholarships to non Montserratians acroos the board, I do believe can open the system up to abuse.
It goes back to what one person commented on earlier and that is that we need to educate and progress Montserratians to lead our island. We are being slowly usurped and we have got to be mindful of this.
All that has being said is very much so true. I spoke many times to friends and family members of a Professional Progressive Sector of primarily Montserratians that would help take our country out from the hole in which it has fallen. First and foremost we must do it for the people of our country and uphold integrity, honest and fairness for all. The sector would not have a political agenda, but will be seeking ways to maintain and bring in capital that can promote better situations for our future. In any progressive situation capital is always needed and we look upon the government to allocate such capital to fund the prosperous future we envision. However, this sector must be created separate from the government, so it is not tarnished with Traditional Comforts, but filled with experience and passion of ones skill and the love for the people that would require such skill.
ReplyDeleteIrvin, I am so feeling everything that you are saying. There definitely needs to be a next group outside of the government who has the interest of Montserrat at heart.
ReplyDeleteI think this group should be an assimilation of different types of Montserratians: 1. Some who live there, 2. Some who live in other Caribbean islands, 3. Some who live in the USA and of course 4. Some who live in the UK.
From this forum we see that those who live in Montserrat view things differently than those who are out. We can benefit from these differences. Believe it or not, no matter what side of the fence you are on, we all have very good points. Why not bring them together? Not just for power, rank or wealth but for the love of Montserrat. Come on. Let's make this a reality and not just let this forum be more froth than Mauby.
Montserrat will never be 100 per cent the same as before, but that doesn't mean that we can't make it something great. Long live ALLIOUAGANA, land of my birth.
Jeevan,
ReplyDeleteI am reluctant to contribute to M/rat as I have paid for my education myself. When I applied for a grant from the M/rat gov here in the UK I was rejected but I have seen a lot of non m/rations who were given funding for their education and of course has no intention to contribute to the redevelopment of M/rat. I have no probs paying my way in life but as one commentator said, funds need to be allocated fairly and erradicate nepotism.
Our people have not always been dependent on government handouts. Think of our traditions of land ownership, maroons to build our houses, ship building (and not just John Osborne), pioneering businesses (LIAT, W&W Electronics, Perks Punch). So to answer you, no colonialism is not to blame here. Something else happened along the way.
ReplyDeleteOf course somethings which came after or as a result of the volcano did not help. I think of food vouchers, social welfare among other things. While naming these I think also the knowledge that those who relocated to the UK were "paid" to do so and also "paid" to live in the UK and have baby's etc. does not help. As I say the problem most likely did not start with the volcano it just accelerated the process.
Where and when this mindset of mendicancy started is not so important as how to get reid of it. To that I have no really answer but offer that we must start with ourselves and our children to break the shackles of mental slavery.
On the matter of bad experiences for returning scholars whether funded by goernment or not undoubtedly things happen and some quite awful. I say to myself the cream rises to the top and it is better to suffer affliction with my people than to be the king of a distant land.
The diaspora of necessity must be part of any idea of Montserrat. We must all want to be part of that Montserrat whatever it is so there must be a push and pull. You and US = WE! So yes the development plan needs to be not only shared with you but developed with you as well.