THE EDITOR, Sir:
IN THE midst of our Child Month celebration, Minister Peart has given what we hope is his personal advice for dealing with 'dunce pickney'; albeit at the basic school level, at a time when some of his parliamentary colleagues are themselves speaking so glibly of their plans for education (plans and visions which ought to commence with the youngest 'schoolers').
I consider the advice to be most disturbing and unfortunate. It is really the poor and "have-nots" who are most susceptible to the recommended abandonment, because of their status and breeding (in both verb and noun) and to whose children the dunce adjective is often applied. The children of the "haves" and the rich are either motivationally challenged or autistic but not classified as dunce.
As a country and presumed egalitarian society, we must find a way to proactively address and deal with the problems associated and ascribed to "dunce pickney", whether Minister Peart cares to or not. The earlier the child begins to participate in a systematic training and development programme, the less dunce he or she may be as an adolescent.
APPROPRIATE SOCIAL MANNERS
Design and development of enhancement programmes must include the child's learning of appropriate social manners and scholastic activities in which the parents and teachers can work together in the interest of the child. If the child makes little (or much) disruptive attempt to impose himself upon the school environment, then the teachers, parents and Minister Peart must make that extra effort to impose the school environment upon that child. Even where the child appears to be uninterested and unresponsive, a continuing effort should be made to stimulate him or her.
These are young basic school children (all possibly under the age of seven years) so collectively we must confront the current issues and at another time and place (except on the campaign trail) deal with the problem of the resourceless and sexually reckless parents who perpetually breed and then thrust their offspring upon the state and overburdened taxpayers, with the responsibilities to cater to these unfortunate children.
If the minister's expectation is anything less than making the needed adjustments or accommodations, we all must be prepared to deal with the all grown-up dunce adolescents and dunce adults when they begin to show interest in the decadent things around them. The dons/godfathers may respond to that interest by providing them with the tools of trade needed for their survival and from which they will no doubt receive gratification for their efforts and "dunceness".
I am, etc,
SONIA CHRISTIE
Stewart Town PO
Trelawny
