Disgusted by Premier

October 22, 2009

Dear Sir,

I'm disgusted with the Premier's comment in The Royal Gazette, making digs against The Royal Gazette and its late sister paper The Mid Ocean News, "one down, one to go", laughing and joking and saying "I have no idea what that meant."

Clearly he understands what this meant, the obvious disappearance of all Government advertising from two out of three newspapers is a clear indication of his understanding and under handed attempts to rid us of the free speech, and open reporting to the people of this Island.

Furthermore the fact that he is taking enjoyment at the loss of Bermudian jobs and possibly more Bermudian jobs is yet again clear evidence of our "illustrious" Premier putting his own agenda ahead of Bermudian people.

You would think the Premier of our country would care whether his people could afford to feed and clothe their children and pay their bills, behind the bylines are real people and real families not just an organisation.

CONSTANTLY DISAPPOINTED

Pembroke

False promises and lies

October 26, 2009

Dear Sir,

Well, I must say that UBP Leader Kim Swan has hit the nail right on the head with his opinion of our illustrious Premier in today's Royal Gazette. This is by far one of the most factual pieces that I have ever read concerning Dr. Brown and if anyone did not read it, I advise you to do so as it is a masterpiece.

When I listened to Dr. Brown's speech that night, I must say that I was reduced to a few yawns – because there he was once again trying to pull the wool over the public's eyes – how very boring! When will he come to the realisation that he is not trusted by a vast segment of this population who have a thought process? Once you know a person has deceived you – told you lies, told others lies and continues to tell lies – you just lose faith and trust in them. Grandmother always said: "You can lock up from a thief, but you cannot lock up from a liar!"

As Kim Swan states: "It is apparent that Dr. Brown is trying to improve his image!" Mr. Editor, I am afraid that it is a bit too late for that due to the fact some members of his own party and Cabinet have had enough of him, and when I think about those that do defend him, the following quote comes to mind, When one robs Peter to pay Paul, that one always has the support of Paul - and let's face it, some people just know what side their bread is buttered on and who is supplying the bread and butter!

It is obvious to anyone with any common sense that Dr. Brown is full of false promises. In my opinion he is more interested in posturing and grabbing power than he is in the welfare of Bermuda and her people. This is really sad because he is an intelligent man, he has the enthusiasm, he had the gab and charisma and he could have made a great leader, but somewhere along the way he went off track.

Since Dr. Brown had been leader of this country he and some of his Cabinet members have not shown accountability, ethical behaviour, humility, transparency, honour and many other necessary characteristics that is expected from leaders of a country.

The jury is in and the verdict is not only has Dr. Brown failed as a Leader … he has failed the PLP Government, its membership and supporters even if some of them don't realise it, and if the PLP membership does not remove Dr. Ewart Brown soon (and only they can), Bermuda will fail also.

This, Mr. Editor, is strictly my opinion!

PAT FERGUSON

Warwick

Hiding the report card

This was sent to Education Minister Elvin James and was copied to The Royal Gazette.

October 27, 2009

Dear Minister James,

As a taxpayer who strongly believes in accountability, I find it extremely troubling that to date the GCSE scores for 2009 have not yet been released. But before I elaborate on my concern, I'd like to make a few points:

1. I believe that the Ministry of Education is without question the most critical Ministry this country (or any country) has. Not Tourism, not Transport and not Finance. If one wanted to handicap Bermuda's future generations, then you only need destroy public education.

2. Given the critical importance of education to any society, it us utterly unacceptable, even on a short-term basis, that the Education Portfolio be assigned to another Minister who would be expected to juggle two portfolios (as took place this summer after your resignation).

3. I am utterly convinced that despite your best efforts, or any revolutionary curriculum that you might introduce, performance in public education will not change significantly until we parents begin sending disciplined children to school who have a great and constant desire to learn.

Ever since becoming a father I have struggled with the question of whether or not I should send my children to public school or private school. Firstly, I do not believe that one is inherently superior to the other, because I can recall the years when our public schools produced many students who equaled or bettered students from private schools.

Secondly, the funds required to pay for my two children to attend private education would otherwise be used to pay off my mortgage, prepare for the possibility of college or increase my family's wealth in general. And thirdly, of course there is the social pressure that comes along with sending my children to private school.

To put it kindly, amongst some of my peers the choice of private education will be seen as "selling out". Especially as an individual who came through the public education system, it gives me no pleasure to be perceived this way – so trust me, this is not a decision that is being made with little thought.

Ultimately what we are considering here is accountability from the Premier, through the Minister of Education, Board of Education, Education Department, Bermuda Union of Teachers and all the way down to the parents and students themselves. Each of us is accountable to one another, and when one fails to live up to their responsibilities, you create great potential for the entire education system to fail.

Case in point: The GCSE scores. I have to ask what kind of message are our leaders sending to everyone when they fail to hold themselves accountable to us taxpayers by failing to release GCSE scores? I can say that without question if I had ever tried to keep my report card from my parents I would have been disciplined. And any parent today who has a child who is trying to hide their grades ought to be disciplining that child. To put it plainly, the line of accountability is being broken every day that those scores are being held back. The wrong message about accountability and responsibility is being sent from the Premier (who is ultimately accountable for holding scores back) right on down to the taxpayers (who should be demanding that the Ministry release the scores).

And here lies the crux of the matter. The parents and students watching all of this take place are learning from the leadership's example that accountability really doesn't matter. And if we are to assume that the scores are being held back because they are poor, then by example we are telling parents and students that the best way to deal with poor performance is not to work harder, but to deny and hide it. Further, any parent who may be considering public education is being denied the necessary information to make an objective decision. And in an environment where we hear of extremely poor graduation rates, social promotion, stabbings, new curriculums, teacher strikes, resignations, new Education Ministers and new Education Board Chairmen … trust me, the last thing the Ministry should be doing is holding back on GCSE scores.

It goes without saying that I ask that you hold yourselves accountable by releasing the GCSE scores immediately. Please do so by reporting what percentage of students actually took the exams, passed them and with what grades. Taxpayers shouldn't have to demand that those scores be released. We are the ones who are funding the education system in the first place, and we are the ones who will have to deal with the social problems that become exacerbated due to a failing education system and poor parenting. Most importantly, if the scores actually are being held back because they are poor, we need to challenge everyone, starting with ourselves, to do far better than we did the year before.

BRYANT TREW

Southampton