THE EDITOR, Sir:MANY YEARS ago, I learnt the following memory gem in primary school:
"Whenever a task is set for you,
Don't IDLY sit and view it,
Nor be content to wish it done,
Begin at once and do it."
A few months ago, the Custos for the parish of Manchester, Dr. The Honourable Gilbert Allen, related an incident when he was in elementary school. His quotation of the second line of this gem was "Don't idle, sit and view it".
Each time he said it, the teacher gave him a whacking. After receiving three whackings, the teacher told him where he went wrong.
A few days ago, I went to the Mandeville branch of the Mico Care Centre For Children With Learning Disabilities located at the Ridgemount Church in Mandeville. I noticed a prominent chart with this memory gem with the second line as follows: "Don't idle, sit and view it".
To my amazement, the chart was published by the Ministry of Education Youth and Culture! I called Dr. Allen, and told him of my observation. I pointed out to him that the Ministry of Education has sanctioned his interpretation of the gem and his teacher should apologise to him and give him a retroactive pardon.
Clearly, the wrong message is being conveyed by that chart. It could never be the intention of the publisher for children to be like Andy Capp and sit back idly and view their tasks. It would therefore be prudent for the Ministry of Education Youth and Culture to retrieve those charts promptly and issue the corrected version.
I am, etc.,
ALBERT S. WALKER
albwalks@hotmail.com
