What to make of all this negativity?

Jul 13, 2014 Letters

Dear Editor,
Recently the media, especially this week’s newspapers, contained a series of articles and letters which paint so much negativity concerning the future of and for our young people that even I, as an experienced Human Resource practitioner, feel overwhelmed and challenged by the number of unanswered, unanswerable questions posed and implied. Are we unwittingly inculcating a negative ‘self-fulfilling prophesy’ of doom and gloom for our youths?
On the one hand I am made to feel relieved that I am not a young person today and that ‘in my time’ we were more focused on what youngsters had to do if they wanted to ‘make it’, despite the many contemporary challenges that confronted ambitious young people then. On the other hand, there is a growing sense of hopelessness when one reads of the lowering performance of public schools, the increasing rate of drop-outs, the continuing failures in English and Mathematics and, worst of all, the descent into immorality and crimes at all levels of society, including the traditional ‘role models’ to whom youths typically look up.
The rate of ‘unemployables’ matching or outstripping the rate of ‘unemployment’ is obviously a cause for concern among current and potential employers….and to think that we are already importing labour of all types as our population growth takes a holiday are all enough to raise questions about what can and must be done to arrest, if not reverse the slide.
From my own perspective, I do believe that we must go back to basics: the need to focus on attitudes, behavior and character development among people in leadership positions in our society as well as the home, the family and the teachers in our education system. All the concerns expressed about school drop-outs, the need for skills training or higher education are reduced to nought if the basics of good character, good attitude and good foundational education are not there in the first place.
All the drums about UG, UGBC, Law School, technical education etc. etc., can escalate their beats to the point of deafness if we fail to listen to the humble cry for foundational development, family values, character building and a sound primary education as was obtained in the good old days when sugar was supreme, bauxite was boss and society was safe!
I recognize that this letter might incur the wrath of many who will perhaps characterize me as a reactionary ‘colonialist’ with an obsolete mind-set but, my friends, is there any harm trying out what has indeed served us well, better than all our ‘experimentation’ with so many new-fangled but failing ‘modern’ approaches?
How come I (and so many others) used to know more and do better after the good old Primary School Certificate than the majority who now graduate from secondary school? The irony is that inputs and initiatives for character training, attitudinal changes and behavioral improvements are not anywhere near as costly as the increasing amounts of resources being pumped into our education system!
Nowrang Persaud

Latest News

What to make of all this negativity?

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| February, 7th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Imlach masterclass 126, Alimohamed 66-ball 77, give Harpy Eagles life...

Fraser rebounds well, as Arjoon keeps perfect...

Guyana to host historic 3×3 Quest Tournament

Quarter-Finals in Mashramani Street Football...

Vurlon Mills Football Academy launches KFC...

DEMLIFE Golf Tournament tees off today at LGC

Features/Columnists

Due diligence on investments must become a priority

OAS Secretary General Election and renewed OAS Consensus

Awestruck and starstruck with a twist

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

What to make of all this negativity?

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| February, 7th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]