The Editor, Sir:

A rather interesting article is in yesterday's Gleaner, by columnist Rev Devon Dick, on the issue of clapping at graduations. His point about our system of education is extremely valid.

Due to our historical past and, specifically the colonisation of Jamaica by the British, we have had to endure a legacy of "eurocentric" ideas. We have been left with things that we would do well to abandon at this time in our development.

Clapping at a graduation, as long as it is not disrupting the ceremony, is in fact a way of creating balance, showing appreciation to the graduands and also breaking the monotony and boredom that characterise many of these graduations.

Think outside the box

It is a fact that, as Jamaicans, we must stop accepting the wholesale impositions of ideas,values, economic models and other foreign paraphernalia. We need to at this stage of our development to begin to use the creativity and ingenuity that we, as a people, possess in abundance.

Educators have a special role to play in this regard. They will have to start training our young minds to think outside of the proverbial box.

I am, etc.,

HOWARD SUMMERBELL

rallinbell@yahoo.com