– for fallout in education sector

Dear Editor,

IT IS critical for one’s survival to resist the temptation of following the reactive crowd by being proactive oneself. I have long arrived at the conclusion, with good reason I may say, that life is not dissimilar to that of a game of chess. For those who are familiar with the ancient and commonly- described-as cerebral game, indispensable to success is to foresee your competitor’s masterplan many moves before it has been executed. The corollary to this argument is that the player who is reactive rather than proactive will forever be the loser. As a result, the rational, if not the only, conclusion is that proactivity is that invisible hand that guides success.

If we were to view life under the critical microscope, it will provide us the clarity as to the rationale underpinning the analogy with chess. What would become self-evident is that those who await the problem not armed with an anticipatory master plan, will forever be playing catchup. The corollary to this argument is that those who anticipate the problem will perpetually be ahead of the curve. To add clarity to my objective of penning this letter, I will repeat, ad nauseam, that there is much more to be done by this government, in all sectors, since they were at the receiving end of much to do. Some may hasten to argue too much to do. When they took office on that bright sunny morning in May 2015, they were confronted by a Mount Everest level of mountainous work to be done. As a result, from Day 1, they had to hit the ground running. There was no scope or option of being proactive.
To spend the opening weeks and months formulating plans for possible anticipatory problems when already buried with problems inherited from an incompetent PPP would be foolhardy at best. I must state that it is without argument that they have done well in the circumstances. The evidences underpinning my conclusion are significant improvements in examination performances in all subjects, at all level and in all regions especially the Hinterland. In addition, there is a significant decrease in school dropouts accompanied by improvements in literacy and numeracy rates. These positive results should not fuel complacency, since many may rightfully argue that this is the proverbial first hurdle.
Presently, we are witnessing the painful consequences of that five years of catching up by the APNU-AFC government due to a 23-year lack of proactive leadership by the then PPP government in the education sector, and all sectors as a matter of fact. As a result, we are publicly and painfully witnessing an increase in school violence due to this 23 years of PPP not being proactive. I must say that school scrimmages have been around since Noah was decked in short pants. As a matter of fact, this is a worldwide phenomena driven by raging hormones and big egos.

In my opinion, we are more aware of them now, not as a result of increasing prevalence but moreso as a result of the pervasive nature of smart phones and social media. My argument is, which many may support, that this apparent increase in prevalence is not down to an increase in absolute numbers of school scrimmages but due to technology making easier visual access to same. What has changed, without a doubt, is the degree of violence and weaponry involved.

The PPP was in office from 1992, during which time televisions were not as pervasive in Guyanese homes. Even without undertaking a scientific poll, I am reasonably confident that most would concur that in 1992, most homes did not have a television. This phenomenon would have held true for most Third World countries. As the years progressed, there was an accompanying increase in ownership of televisions. This change came with unique social challenges for Guyana. With televisions being the main accessory in most homes, children were now exposed to the American culture. This is down to the fact that television satellite feed for Guyana emanated from said country. As a result, televisions brought to our living rooms to our kids the violence which is a part of the American culture. Television ownership was subsequently accompanied by the evolution of social media, namely Facebook and YouTube. It would not have taken a rocket scientist to recognise that such imagery would have a negative impact on the developing brain as it is establishing important neuronal connections to guide future behaviours.

The aforementioned changes occurred during the PPP’s 23 years in office. A forward-thinking minister of education would have anticipated potential social problems as a result of this social cultural amalgamation. Once anticipated, a forward- thinking minister of education would have set up a review body to examine what could be the potential consequences of such exposure on our kids. A forward-thinking minister of education would have developed proactive policies and guidelines not only to address and mitigate the problems if they occurred, but also to take anticipatory steps to minimise the chances and impact if they occurred. Simply put, a proactive minister of education would have anticipated these school violence long before they occurred and would have had policies and guidelines in place. The PPP had the chance over 23 years and never did. In effect, they have dropped the ball.

The fact is that if these problems are not addressed with some urgency, they are likely to escalate. Some may argue that they already have. This immediately brings to mind the student who threatened to cause carnage by the guns in his school. This also brings to mind Dr. O’Toole who was greeted at his gate by a bullet? The fact is that it is already at our doorsteps. This social degeneration in our schools is a reflection of poor leadership and lack of proactive planning. Twenty-three years were more than enough to have anticipated that a potential problem existed.

So what a visionary minister of education would have done? In my opinion, a visionary Minister of Education would have set up a review body to look into the impact on our kids of the importation and viewing of the American subculture of violence. This was not done. The review body could have included but not been limited to a child psychologist, child counsellor, social worker, criminologist, teacher, and a parent representative among others. Their evidence-based findings and recommendations would have informed government policies.

In my opinion, this government will have its work cut out for it when re-elected. First and foremost, they should not make the same mistakes as the PPP. They may not be in the comfortable position of being proactive since the horse has already bolted. In my opinion, there is still a good argument for the review group. It may not benefit this present generation but will definitely benefit future generations since the problem is here to stay. Simultaneously, I do believe that there is a need to have an increase in the numbers of social workers, child psychologists, teachers, child psychiatrists, child counsellors and criminologist. I would further argue that in the immediate future the Ministry of Education should develop strict evidence based guidelines for schools when confronted by a deviant child or any child they may be concerned about. The problem needs to be addressed early with referral to the relevant specialist. Teachers will also need to be proactive. A child may not necessarily show deviant behaviour but their home circumstances maybe cause for concern. Adherence to these guidelines may need regular reviewing for both compliance and outcomes.

Now let’s examine a major social problem in Guyana: Poor single parents. I do believe that this group, along with the financially deprived families will need significant assistance as part of the solution to the aforementioned problem. The fact is when a single parent goes out to do their two and three jobs, what happens with the kids? More often than not, they are left alone to be brought by the mean streets. In those means streets, boys and girls who are much older, guide and inculcate in them tools of survival in streets. There they are taught conflict resolution techniques of streets. Guns. Knives. Tasers. The young boys and girls then take this into the schools. As a result it is imperative that these poor single parents be provided with financial support so that they can spend more time at home nurturing their kids and inculcation good values.

Some may argue that the social problems of single parenting is not their problem. Let me warn you. Even if it is not your problem now, It will be in the future when they turn up at your houses with balaclava disguised faces, bullet proof souls and AK47s. You can shoot them dead if you wish. I can guarantee that there is a queue of similar youths to replace them simply because PPP was reactive rather than proactive.

Regards,
Dr. Mark Devonish MBBS MSc Med