Education suggestions

June 29, 2009

Dear Sir,

I am happy to see that the Bermuda government has seen the wisdom of implementing an internationally recognised exam and curriculum. Those who pass this exam will have opportunities to participate in higher education anywhere in the world, including the ability to take advantage of the lower rates Bermudians now get in UK colleges and universities.

I have also seen that Education Minister El James has warned teachers about substandard teaching as this new curriculum is implemented. I would remind him that the curriculum is not the only thing wrong with the system, and teachers must be given the correct environment to do their jobs correctly.

Here are some of the things that I stated in my previous letter that have yet to be implemented:

• I suggest that we have smaller local high schools, each with their own board of governors. In the past and present it is clear that the aided schools with their own board of governors work better and more efficiently than anything run directly from the Ministry of Education. Cluster boards are an unproven experiment. We need to stop experimenting and use methods that are proven to show results.

• I suggest we get rid of middle schools because every time a student changes school, they lose a year of education. Please note the advantage that schools like Warwick Academy, Saltus and BHS have. The primary, middle and high schools are all connected on the same or nearby properties. Teachers may communicate and prepare students to move from one stage to another with minimum difficulty. Note that private schools do their exams at age 15 while public schools do similar exams at age 17. The common response to this suggestion is that private schools are allowed to pick their students but I ask the reader to remember Warwick Academy and Berkeley as Government-aided schools, and remember the results that they achieved. This leads to the question of testing and separating students based on ability.

l We need to be aware that putting all students in the same class no matter what their abilities will have an effect on the class. Teachers then have the daunting task of trying to push the smart students, maintaining the regular students, and helping the challenged students all at the same time. Before we continue to blame the teachers, question what we are asking of them and put them into a position where they can do their jobs. Do not ask a teacher to do the impossible and get mad at them when they fail. If students of all levels must be in the same classroom, teacher's aides will be required. If not, separate students based on ability so each student gets the attention that they need.

• Students that are not academic should be taught technical trades and gain the appropriate certificates.

l Make sure that classes are taught all year. Do not teach a subject for one or two terms a year and expect students to retain that knowledge for whenever they are taught that subject again.

• Bullies, gang members and trouble makers need to be removed from the traditional school system and taught in strict military-like situation. This is not to say they should be taught from a different syllabus, but they need to be kept under strict disciplinary conditions. If taught correctly, they have the potential to become future, productive citizens and leaders.

To the Government as a whole, in order to reduce the current trend of violence in our country we must start listening to the youth. They will not come to us, we will have to go to them. The violence comes from young people looking for wealth, power, a sense of belonging and in some cases protection. We should be able to provide all of these things to them as a country so they do not resort to violence and illegal activity. We can help them to get around the red tape to start their own businesses, get them involved in politics, start their own clubs, have their own concerts and parties. We need to make them feel they are a legitimate part of our country, a part that has the ability to help steer the country towards a better future. Let's stop making it difficult for people to get ahead in this country.

At the same time, all of the obvious places where criminal activity take place must be policed and illegal activity shut down. Approach with an olive leaf in one hand and a sword in the other and let them choose. Of course this would mean increasing the budgets of social rehabilitation, culture, and the Police force.

I am sure some funds could be found if we reduced Government travel and collected some funds owed to the government. (I know, wishful thinking)

M. BRIAN SWAN

Sandys

Laws must be kept

July 7, 2009

Dear Sir,

In the July 4 edition of The Royal Gazette, a letter entitled "Uighurs decision was decisive" aroused my attention. Perhaps it may seem that I am being pedantic but, rather than arguing the points that have been done to death by now I have decided again to focus on the point that applies to me.

The point I refer to was:

"I've seen that some people have said that it is unfair for these men to be given status (if that's what they'll indeed be granted) whilst others who should have preference are either denied or being kept waiting. I consider that on humanitarian grounds, the four men have been treated as a special case."

While I believe that the point is sound and in the interest of humanity exceptions may sometimes be the moral decision, I also believe that our system is based very firmly on the rule of law. When society believes that laws can be bent in certain cases then how long is it until that leads to further violations of a less positive nature? Our system is quite possibly one of the worst systems imaginable, unyielding and uncaring. However it is light years better than any other system ever tried (much like democracy according to the great statesman Winston Churchill).

There is no provision in the Immigration and Protection Act 1956 for asylum seekers. There is no legal basis for the granting of status. As I have said before, I am in full support of any humanitarian act, as long as it adheres to the rule of fair and justified law. I have spent my life being told that the immigration rules are fair and justified. Two wrongs do not make a right, we are all taught that from a very young age.

Breaking a fair and justified law can never be the option.

Perhaps the immigration law is neither?

A WISHFUL THINKER

Smith's

Roban's hateful response

July 4, 2009

Dear Sir,

On the issue of Minister Walter Roban's response to Ms. Claire Smith, I submit the following:

How did you Mr. Roban, in your hatefully ignorant response to Ms Smith, know her ethnicity? Because her name sounded "white"? Did she send a picture of herself along with the e-mail, or identify herself in any way as white? In one of your responses, you claimed to not know Ms Smith, so I assume that meant you had no idea whether she was white, black, pink, or green. So speaking out against Dr. Ewart Brown is now automatically white racist behaviour? What happens when a black person speaks out against the good doctor, are they simply a 'confused negro'?

I ask you Mr.Roban, what would your response have been to someone who, in your mind, you assumed to be a black person? I also question what the public's response would be if a white MP spoke such words to a black voter.

I extend this to the PLP brass who continually use the race card (you know who you are): Do any of you possess words in your vocabulary other than black, white, PLP, UBP, plantation, bigots, and racists? If so, kindly use them every once in a while. The race card is stale, old, tired, and worn, and some of us do possess the ability to see beyond the wool. Marginalising the white population, if that is your aim, as some form of "payback" for the past doesn't make you any better than the slavemasters of yesteryear. Two wrongs do not make a right.

I voted for you in 1998, because I wanted Bermudians first, and I wanted the races united. You will never get my vote again with your current behaviour. You continue to pit the races against each other with your racial rhetoric, it's a classic case of divide and conquer. Do what you were elected to do, and put Bermuda first. Move Bermuda forward, and I mean ALL Bermudians, of all races. Not only your aceboys and girls, not only your family members, or only the ones that look like you, all of us.

RGP

31-year-old black born Bermudian

Warwick

Premier stressing the people

June 26, 2009

Dear Sir,

First of all, let me state here and now that the following letter to the Editor is strictly my own and has nothing to do with the group called "Bermudians" of which I am a committee member.

Mr. Editor, here are some thoughts that have been running around in my head ever since the Premier, in a covert operation and under the darkness of night, flew in the four Gitmo detainees on June 11, 2009. Dr. Brown, the Premier, and Col. Burch, literally smuggled four people into this country and this action has caused stress and concern to many people.

Is it right to be so stressed out because you don't know which way your country is going? Is it right for you to wake up every morning and wonder what in the world is this Premier going to do next? I personally, don't think so – but unfortunately, this is what's happening and a good example is the Gitmo 4, and the breaking news yesterday "Government wants to take over the Corporation of Hamilton and St. George's" … so what's next – the Police Service? Total control? He reminds me of the Energiser Bunny as he just keeps going and going and going but going completely out of control and unchecked!

The stress the Premier has put on some people is frightening. I am not just talking about a certain segment of Bermuda; I am talking about people across the board who are worried to death about the uncertainty of their freedom and Bermuda's future stability.

On Tuesday I received a telephone call from a senior regarding the state of affairs in Bermuda and on Wednesday, another senior called me regarding the same thing. These two women, one black and one white, were so stressed and upset, they were reduced to tears which was heartbreaking. They were both afraid of the Premier, and for their country, and believe it or not, the black senior was even afraid for her family – she was so afraid that if she attended any of the rallies calling for the removal of Dr. Brown, her family would suffer some horrible reprisal. Now how sad can that be and what kind of place are we living in where people have this terrible fear of showing their faces because of the Government?

Does one have such fear and stress when they are living in a democratic society where the Government is doing the right thing for the good of the country and people? I say no! People have enough stress with just plain everyday living, so they certainly don't need more stress put on them by this Premier. Does he for one moment realise what is going on, or is he so bent on his own personal agenda of total control that he sees nothing else?

Mr. Editor, all people really want is to get on with their lives and feel safe and free in their own country. All they want is good leadership and good governance, and God knows they aren't getting either.

To live in fear, is to live in bondage! I thought the shackles of slavery were taken off ankles a long time ago, but it looks like the shackles of fear has been attached to some people's minds and all "with the compliments of the Premier" – so welcome to the "Plantation" folks and guess what? It's integrated … we have black; white and other!!

Thomas Jefferson once said, "When people fear their Government that's tyranny but when Government fears the people, that's democracy!

Thomas Jefferson also said: "Experience has shown, that even under the best forms of Government, those entrusted with power, have in time, and by slow operations, perverted into tyranny!"

Tyranny has no place in a democratic society and if we as Bermudians stand together as a unit – we will get rid of this fear and threat that has invaded our island home! If we don't stand together, forgaddaboutit!

PAT FERGUSON

Warwick

Port Royal is too expensive

July 7, 2009

Dear Sir,

found the recent article on the re-do at Port Royal a fanciful attempt to justify the new green fees there. As much as I love Port Royal, it in no way compares to Pebble Beach, Spy Glass or the Old Course.

Add in rising crime in Bermuda, a government apparently on the verge of collapse, tourist trips declining and dangerous roads and you can't really make the case for $225 greens fees.

I hope of course I'm wrong, but in the circles I travel, which have always included Bermuda as a golf destination, the feeling is the same: I don't think we'll be doing that.

The world has changed and unless we go back to a world of loose credit and easy money the land of $200 plus rounds of golf will be laid to waste. I hope the Island will be able to respond quickly to address this as rounds decline as well as travel to your great island.

JAMES A TOLLEFSON

USA

We loved your Island

June 29, 2009

Dear Sir,

We recently visited your beautiful island for three days whilst our Norwegian Cruise Line ship was moored in St. George's. During our stay, whilst the weather was not always kind to us, the people of your Island more than made up for it.

We decided to try the local public transport system and immediately felt as if we had arrived in another era. Our bus driver could not have been more helpful and friendly, she was indeed a character, entertaining all the bus with her commentary. We were stunned to see young men getting up to offer their seats to elderly or female passengers, this chivalrous behaviour no longer exists in Britain, sadly. We were also impressed by the behaviour of groups of students travelling on the buses, who behaved with good manners and politeness, always respectful of those around them.

We spent a little time on the glorious Elbow Beach and were in awe of the beauty and cleanliness of it. We have travelled to many Caribbean islands and I must say you have knocked Grenada's spice island beach off the number one spot. We were able to enjoy the surroundings without being approached by beach sellers, who whilst usually friendly, still interrupt your solitude. Please never let this type of trade invade your island.

We met with some local expats in a bar later in the day and explained how envious we were of the morals and beauty of the island and it was they who suggested we write and let you all know that you should be very proud that you live in such a welcoming and wonderful place. Keep on doing what you are doing. It is working. I would absolutely recommend a visit to your homeland, we felt content and safe and truly welcome.

BERNADETTE PEERS AND DAVID MOLONEY

Berkshire, UK