TOO MANY times, the accusation is that the PPP/C, President Jagdeo, and other leaders are just too much into micro-managing. This kind of leadership style is not really the best (at least not for me), but sometimes, it is most necessary. I think of many situations here on the local scene, and I am sure that if direct oversight had been exercised, a lot of the chaos would have been avoided. Now look at this nasty scenario that is about to develop as a ‘Probe (is being) launched into allegations of sexual molestation at Aishalton Secondary School.’
According to the report, the ministry explained that Acting Chief Schools Welfare Officer, Carol Melville, reported that Regional Education Officer, Urline Crandon, accompanied by an education officer and two policemen, visited the school on Friday to formally investigate the allegations.
My desire is that this investigation be thorough and neutral. This alleged incident should not have happened in the first place. Now that the rumours have started and a lot of damage is being done, I hope that those following the issue will learn positive lessons from it.
I remember my high school days and how ‘one of the best’ in the class was ‘forced’ out of high school because of an early third-form pregnancy.
The errant male teacher did not even come up for mention. That year was 1977-78. Now this probe (and quite a few of this nature) is not going to be ‘swept under the carpet’. For this I am glad.
Many simple-minded persons argue that ‘these girls are hot.’ So, I would not waste any time and space trying to elaborate on the seriousness of ‘sexual abuse’, even when there is consent from the ‘victim’.
My only suggestion is that if the topic is not explored by male teachers, especially the young ones, then they need some kind of education on the legal and psychological implications of these kinds of misdemeanours.
Yes! Some of these young and vulnerable girls may see it as okay and full of fun, but this does not make even ‘sexual overtures’ from these ‘hot-crutch’ male teachers acceptable. The whole thing ‘stinks’, and I hope that such matters be intensely pursued.
I think of the many private schools in Guyana and how they seem oblivious to what ‘proper’ education really constitutes. Too many of these ‘private-school’ teachers are ‘barely qualified’. They are either friends or relatives of these ‘owner-principals’, many of whom would not have their own children go to their own schools. Imagine! Their venture is principally a commercial one.
To me, all schools in Guyana should align themselves with the Ministry of Education’s mandates, and strictly adhere to them. These private schools apparently have no proper semester system for their academic year either. This is really crazy! Education in Guyana can do with a little micro-managing, and in this regard, I close with a few questions and suggestions for the Ministry of Education.

1. What is the minimum level of academic achievement to be a teacher?
2.  Investigate the private schools and authenticate the teaching staff’s qualifications.
3. Query their hours of operation and also their opening and closing dates.
4. Investigate the factors that make ‘extra lessons’ more important (it seems) than regular classes.

Now the desire is to help ameliorate the education system in Guyana. The money being invested by Government is just too much to even consider allowing anything to go wasted. There is a place for the private schools, but these schools must align themselves with all  the ministry’s expectations. And the Government schools must follow the agenda set out and all moral codes of conduct must be respected.