Dear Editor,
THE Guyana Times edition of January 05, 2018, carried an article titled “Mashramani costume/float parade to “edutain…” in which Director of Culture, Tamika Boatswain, stated that there was much Guyanese, especially the young generation, could learn from the costumes displayed on February 23.

“…The hope is that we can get back to that place where we focus on issues that relate to us as a country and not get carried away with the image of a skimpy carnival swim piece” she explained. The article went on to explain the Social Cohesion Ministry would be meeting with designers soon to inform them about what is expected come February 23.

Minister of Social Cohesion, with responsibility for culture, youth and sport, Dr George Norton, has endorsed Ms Boatswain’s move, stating that “…Mashramani is Guyanese branded so to speak, and I think I like the idea of using the costume as a message medium for message sending. I remember the days when agriculture was emphasised a whole lot and we can do the same still.”

This is a laudable initiative, especially since it is aimed at educating our young people about various aspects of their culture and history. However, there is an everyday occurrence that I wish to bring to Minister Norton’s attention – that of the ‘minibus phenomenon.’

The lewd music and total disrespect displayed by many minibus operators towards our young people is an abomination as far as morals and ethics are concerned. The loud music with lewd lyrics that are played in the mornings in these buses is not exactly the kind of ‘educational’ motivation our young people need to start their school day. Students are also forced to ‘pile up’ in the buses in their desperate bid to get to school on time.

Some operators do not pick up school children, especially the little ones, since they say that they only pay ‘half fare.’ Teenagers, especially the females, are forced to ‘squeeze in’ with other passengers. No parent wants his/her girl child to endure having to sit on a stranger’s lap or ‘squeezed in’ next to such persons.

Some conductors, too, can be observed consuming alcohol at the bus parks, during the time school children use the buses to get home. And many of our naive girl children get carried away with the ‘sweet talk’ of the bus drivers and conductors. They think that it is quite ‘cool’ to be seen in the close company of such persons.

The morals we instill in our children and the values we teach them are the foundation blocks of their success into adulthood. And this starts from the home. We must teach our daughters how a young lady should be treated and the manner in which she must carry herself (including her choice of clothing) so that she can respect herself and gain the respect of others.

Young men must be taught how to treat ladies with due respect. They must be taught that verbal communication rather than physical violence is the way to resolve problems. Therefore, Minister Norton, maybe we can start by implementing certain guidelines for the minibus operators.

Impose and enforce fines and/or penalties for persons found guilty of endangering the lives and jeopardising the moral values of our young people. The police officers stationed at the car parks can assist with this by being more vigilant of demoralising actions by conductors and minibus drivers.

The innocence of our youths must be nurtured and protected if we are to develop into a society with high morals and values. Societal morals and values, indeed, are the building blocks of progressive nations. Minister Norton, the ball is in your court.

Regards
Vanita Mahadeo