By Nashauna Drummond, Staff ReporterAMONG THE three Government ministries located at National Heroes Circle, the Ministry of Education is in the most deplorable condition. This building has not had a facelift since probably ever. But how can it, when the economy certainly has not and neither has the educational system. So the building is an appropriate representation of the deplorable condition of what should be one of the most important sectors in this country.
Filing cabinets stacked up against the wall like they are about to fall through the window with files sticking out; I am convinced it leaks and the woodwork could really do with a coat of varnish and a paint job. It lacks the contemporary modern features present at the Ministry of Finance located a few metres away. Note the comfort and the modernity which that building exudes (even though it's just a front, it's a good one).
With the school year upon us, parents, teachers and students face the inevitable with great trepidation. Of all the problems we have in this small country of ours which is in more trouble than we know or would like to admit, education should not be one of them. Education should be accessible to (by) everyone, not just the rich!
The year 1962 was a great time for us, a nation was born, our future was now in our own hands. Now 41 years later, we have dug ourselves in a hole that it might be impossible to get out of. All the major ills in this country crime, unemployment, economic decline and overpopulation are related to education. Have you ever seen a university graduate walking around with six children wondering where the next meal will be coming from? No educated person would have more children than they can take care of.
But now to send our children to school regardless of what level (primary or secondary) it's a struggle. How can a parent find approximately $80,000 for each child at the primary level? This is ridiculous. Regardless of what 'great plan' the Government wants to come up with, it's a waste of time if the basic problem is not solved. All the limited resources we have should be pooled into the educational system. If not, we will have a beautiful Emancipation Park with illiterate people running around that beautiful sculpture that I refuse to say anything about. The Government of Jamaica, my government, I am pleading to you; don't be stupid. Forget all your fancy plans. The only thing that matters now is education.
I don't like to be like everyone else rambling on about all the problems and not offering solutions but sometimes we need to shout just a bit louder because it seems that you might not have recognised the plight we are in. Forget giving anybody in the Cabinet a raise or establishing any committee to investigate anything. This is an easy one; FOCUS ON EDUCATION.
