Dictators have no use for an educated population

Jan 28, 2023 Letters

Dear Editor,

It was interesting to read Peeing Tom’s perspective of what ails education in Guyana today and his disapproval of the actions of the current Government to make improvements.I, for one, am pleased to see money being allocated towards the building of new schools and investing in those that can be repaired and modernized to meet the educational needs of the children of Guyana.

Tom neglected to tell your readers when and how the quality of education in this country started declining and what were the reasons for its abysmal state. I most certainly would have liked to hear the reason for the problem because not knowing how it came about or understanding the metamorphosis, makes the problem even more difficult to solve.

I went to primary school (Sacred Heart) and Secondary School (SSC) in the 1960’s and the quality of education during those times were second to none even though free education was not universal. I later spent several years teaching secondary school before leaving Guyana in the mid 70’s, so you can say that I had an inside view of education in Guyana before its demise.

It is my opinion that after schools were confiscated and taken away from the Churches (like SSC, St. Joseph’s, St. Roses, and many others) and education became ‘free’ from kindergarten to university, the decline in education began. The nationalization of education suffered the same fate as the nationalized sugar and bauxite companies. They all went downhill and have not recovered.

The exodus of the middle class included the learned Teachers, Lecturers and other highly qualified persons that made up the backbone of the Education system, left a vacuum that was filled with the unqualified and the incompetent, coupled with neglect, resulting in decay and dilapidation.Education was the casualty of a dictator’s infatuation with socialism and paramountcy of the Party, National Service and Militias.Dictators have no interest in an educated population. An indoctrinated one is easier to manipulate and control.

You can criticize this current administration all you want but it must be applauded for trying to make a difference. It recognizes that modern institutions of learning must first be built and equipped and with the right people in place, they just might be able to return the education system to the level it once was. I am praying for them to succeed because it is only then that Guyana will succeed and be ensured of a brighter future.

Best regards,

Dennis Balgobin

Dennis Balgobin, Lecturers, Secondary School, St. Joseph's, St. Roses

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