Privatise public education

August 12, 2010

Dear Sir,

"There is something dreadfully wrong with an education and socialisation process that leaves us ignorant of our past, strangers to our own people, apes of our oppressors and creatures of habitual shallow thought and trivial values." Asa G. Hilliard, III, Ed.D. I read with interest the article entitled, "PLP leadership candidates speak on key issues" in yesterday's issue of The Royal Gazette. As an educator, I gave very close attention to the section on education.

Minister Paula Cox talked about the threatened closure of five primary schools being less of a hot issue and as a result there is a reunified spirit that can raise performance from the Island's much-maligned school system. She also stated that progress should come through the adopting of internationally recognized benchmarks and standards and there is clearly a better outlook through various reviews, the Hopkins Review, onionising of international standards and the certification of teachers.

Mr. Lister indicated that he wants to start early by introducing mandatory testing of two-year-olds by the Child Development team. He would closely monitor students' reading levels throughout primary school to ensure that students can read by the age of ten or 11. He believes that teachers must tailor their efforts towards the individual needs of pupils as the island tries to get a grip with its education crisis. He also addressed the need to give young boys attention, outstanding students to pair up with peers, and the call for the National Training Board, senior schools and employers to get on the same page with respect to technical vocational programmes.

The former Minister of Education promised tax credit programmes for companies who provided such opportunities, the setting up of especially dedicated centres of excellence, and the stepping up of physical health and healthy eating programs for all children. Thirty years ago, I removed my two sons from the public school system because the public school system was failing our children then. I taught them myself. I lived to hear my sons say, "Mommie, what you did for me was the best thing that happened to me. It's the only thing that worked for me and that's what I want for my children".

In 1952, Dr. Kenneth Robinson, an eminent educator, historian and Bermuda's first Chief Education Officer, in an unpublished dissertation from Harvard University, entitled, "Education in Bermuda," stated: "From the outset the system has been diversified both with respect to purpose and structure." In addition, Dr. Kenneth Robinson found it necessary to list major special educational objectives with which colored Bermudians should be concerned. He also continued: "Official documents in 1948 revealed implicit and explicit indications of the following:

Philosophy of Education 1948

Schools should be for the maintenance of the social, economic and political status quo.

Educational Principles 1948

That of Social, Economic and Political Dominance by White People

Educational Objectives 1948

To cultivate white children for hereditary leadership

Dr. Yvonne Blackett, in an unpublished report, "A Survey of the Historical Development of Education in Bermuda," stated,

Educational Principles 1971

With such a philosophy, educational principles and educational objectives, one can readily conclude that the foundation of the Bermuda education system was racist and was not designed for providing quality education of a world class standard for children of African descent.

Has this racist foundation been dismantled? No! Haven't we tried to put new wine in old bottles? I believe it is this racist foundation that has been a vibrant force in perpetuating the present day social ills of our society. Mark 2:22 states, "And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles".

Consequently, what must we do to counteract this crisis in education for children of African descent? We need a revolution in education in our country. We must dismantle the foundation of this evil scourge that has been detrimental and destructive to our children. We must devise a plan to dismantle the Ministry of Education!

If we are serious about providing quality education for all of Bermuda's children, if we are committed to producing quality graduates of the Bermuda education system of world class standards, then, we as citizens of this country must adopt a "bull in the china shop mentality" and decree that we will fix this system for our children or die. We must privatise public education in this country!

May I, as a competent, committed and capable educator with experience, exposure and expertise suggest the idea of privatizing public education in this country as a new beginning and a fresh start for the prospective Premier of this country. We must dismantle the present racist foundation and we must establish a just and equitable system of education for all of Bermuda's children regardless of their race, creed or colour.

MURIEL M. WADE-SMITH, Ph.D.

Smith's