Dear Editor,
I DON’T have the statistics on hand, but, from a layman’s perspective, a large number of young children are ending up as school dropouts, especially those who have to travel from hinterland locations to secondary schools on the coast.While the cost for travel per child is being subsidized by the respective local village councils, there is a general excuse that there’s no money to pay for transportation. Something has to be done to prevent our communities from becoming increasingly devoid of people who will become leaders in the future and don’t have the necessary leadership skills.

This is why President David Granger has sought to gift to communities boats, bicycles and buses. But something must also be done to let the parents understand that their serious responsibility is to ensure their children are educated.

We need to let our communities know as well what far-reaching effects both the educated and the uneducated can later have on our communities, both good and bad respectively. That is something for parents to ponder about and act upon before it’s too late.

Sorry, but some people are still in their slumber; they are still dreaming, maybe. I’m of Amerindian extraction, sir, and it frightens me to see that, except for a few places, it’s unlikely that certain Indigenous communities would, from among themselves, be able to identify now a crop of young people who will indeed lead us into a better future. Strong, effective leaders in some hinterland communities are becoming an endangered species, and I’m serious. Our kids really need our help now, not in the future. Now!

We have freely been given buses, boats, bicycles; what else do we need! Shouldn’t we, as parents, if we want a better community in the future, play our part?

Let us set our priorities right. Come on! The development of our communities and country is dependent on the sacrifice and commitment we all must make NOW.

President Granger is, with his gifts, implying that we need not be left behind. Other communities have taken up the challenge. Let us understand that statement fully. We need not be held to ransom by the decisions we make now. All must be involved, or all will be consumed.

Truly yours,
RESIDENT