It could be very risky even to suggest anything is missing in our educational system, with so many experts from overseas and our top local brass constantly outlining various modern methods to monitor progress at all levels aimed at achieving better results.

First of all, efforts to improve results should always be applauded. However the average person without a stream of impressive credentials to their name is often at a loss to understand what is meant by better results when so many of our young people come out of high school mumbling, instead of speaking properly, are not good readers, and lack confidence in presenting themselves.

This is not to say the teachers are not doing their jobs as outlined by their operating curriculum. What it seems to show is that despite all the modern technology, and methods being used, something is missing.

In a world of highly competitive business operations, some with lucrative jobs, education is rightly high on the agenda, if Bermudians are to reach the level of qualifications these jobs demand.

But life dictates that much more is required in the real world, where success could depend on one's inner strength, along with qualifications.

Making it more of a challenge is that the educational system of the day, no matter how good it is made out to be, is in competition with an ocean of negative distractions for young people that decades ago never existed.

Also, the decline in traditional values such as respect and discipline, cannot be ignored as contributing factors in why so many students are falling short. Some may argue that those qualities are not the responsibility of the education system but should be taught in the home.

To some degree, that is correct, but when changing lifestyles with less parental guidance is a reality, it is time to at least consider incorporating these important values in the system itself.

How this is done without placing the burden of surrogate parenting on the teacher creates another issue.

Teachers already have their hands full coping with difficult children on a daily basis. Without discipline as it used to be it must come close to being a nightmare at times.

Apart from academics, our students need to be taught something about qualities that are required in daily interaction with others, and the responsibility each person should have in making our world a better place.

The definition of success should not be measured by the amount of accumulated material possessions, although there is nothing wrong with obtaining various comforts of the day.

Our students need to learn that success is also measured by the character and value structure of a person. Unfortunately modern distractions that include every type of electronic biscuit, or cell phone, with youngsters communicating all day, and yet many are unable to string a proper sentence together.

We may be able to have the most modern electronic door on the barn but it matters little if the disciplinary horse has long bolted.

The bottom line is that all the educational experts in the world will never be able to replace what previous generations knew about discipline and building character.

No, they were not perfect, but without their proven values things would be much worse today.

Whether our education system is working or not will not be determined by juggling statistics but on the quality of those emerging from it.

If our system allows students to dress sloppy while in uniform and behave in an unruly manner in public without too much being said, we are simply caving in to the so-called modern day lifestyle.

No one is out to condemn those working hard to improve the educational system, but it seems clear that a new order appears to bypass some old fashion qualities that not only worked in difficult times, but helped to build some of our most effective citizens.

Irrespective as to what experts come up with, if discipline is placed on the shelf because it is considered not to be a part of the learning process today, then we can expect a further decline in results and standards.