Angelo Laurence, Gleaner Writer

Governor-General Professor Kenneth Hall (left) with participants at his consultative breakfast at Northern Caribbean University (NCU) in Mandeville, Manchester, yesterday. With him are (from 2nd left) NCU President Dr. Herbert Thompson; 17-year-old Shanneil Whyte of Ocho Rios High; Jamaica National Building Society head Earl Jarrett; and Dr. David McBean, president of the Media Association of Jamaica. - Contributed

MANDEVILLE, Manchester:

Governor-General Professor Kenneth Hall yesterday met with about 60 students from several parishes at Northern Caribbean University (NCU) in Mandeville, as part of his effort to build a national consensus on issues such as youth and education.

Under the banner the 'Governor-General's Consultative Youth Breakfast,' the students got the opportunity to tell Professor Hall what they would like to see take place to improve the society.

As members of the head table, which included Custos of Manchester, Dr. Gilbert Allen and Custos of St. Ann, Mr. Radcliffe Walters, the students unhesitatingly voiced their positions.

For 17-year-old Shanniel Whyte of Ocho Rios High School, the lack of commitment by some teachers is an impediment to the learning process. Shanniel, who hopes to become an Anglican priest, told The Gleaner that a significant number of parents were not living up to their responsibilities. She noted that "discipline begins at home" and from the behaviour of a large percentage of today's young people, the level of discipline taught at home was very low.

But Geovanni Franklyn of NCU said that students must bear some responsibility for their welfare, arguing that students must be prepared to work for what they want to achieve. He said that as part of the education process, NCU has a work programme, which is unlike other local universities. Geovanni stated that this programme instills good work ethics and should be copied by other institutions.

"Government don't owe us anything," he declared.

Better minds migrate

For Dorian Young of Manchester High, her message to the Governor-General is that he finds ways to stop what she termed the "brain drain problem", which sees the flight of trained young professionals. However, sixth form student Abada Chen of Belair High sees the problem as "brains in the drains" as he says it is the lack of jobs why many "better minds" migrate.

The opinions were as varied as the schools the students represented with some such as Tamar Miller of York Castle High calling for more Christian principles to be taught in schools.

At the end, the Governor-General, who listened keenly, assured the students that he had recorded their concerns and will be using them to guide him to make the appropriate representation.

All the students received certificates for their participation.

Among those in attendance were Dr. David McBean, president of the Media Association of Jamaica, Dr. Herbert Thompson, president of NCU, and Donealia Webber of Knox Community College.