Time to chart a new course

THE EDITOR: As an educator, I am often called upon to give addresses to various stakeholders of education on the state of education in general and discipline in particular in our society.

Increasingly I find myself engulfed in clouds of powerlessness, alienation and depression. Trinidad and Tobago, the reality has hit me, is tied to a self-destruct path. The point is what can I continue to tell individuals or indeed a nation of things that are not recognised? Does not the Holy Bible proclaim, “The way that seemeth right often leadeth to destruction.?”

My case this time, is of critical importance to the future of our nation. Wherever we go, we encounter incidents of corruption, mediocrity, plain bad mind, or poor work ethic, gross materialism and myopic behaviour. Individuals rush to obtain jobs through contact and unethical strategies. If they then go on to serve the country faithfully, I may be prepared to overlook how they obtained employment. Unfortunately they do not. Instead, they go on to perform terribly, focusing only on wages, salaries or the benefits that they can extract from their positions. Others who let us down badly are those placed in high positions of trust and who allow the nation through their neglect and selfishness to go to the dogs. Yes! It would seem that no longer is the dictum, “I am my brother’s keeper” relevant.

Parents, teachers, and our leaders — virtually everybody — are on a self aggrandisement platform. If all human behaviour is learnt, is not the behaviour of our youth now logical? Have we not taught them to be criminals, bandits and perpetrators of unethical and unpatriotic behaviour, and a poor work ethic syndrome? Are we not responsible for the loss of an entire generation? Is this the legacy of our boom years?

History and experience have taught me that mad people, those wildly infatuated, and those who are about to perish perceive that they have neither the time nor inclination to listen to reason. Nonetheless, I wish to go on record as having exhorted our leaders, our teachers, and our parents in particular as well as every citizen of our land to start thinking of the good of Trinidad and Tobago. We are a team, one people, and one hope. The time has come for us to chart a new course. Why can we not create a society in which every individual knows his place; in which every individual has a purpose; in which every individual is recognised for his worth? Is this too utopian? From those who think so, I demand immediate silence. Do not bawl, if you feel caring, warmth and respect in society are impossible dreams! Finally, if our government really wants to redeem itself, initiatives in the education and other relevant ministries should begin with immediate effect to rehabilitate this almost lost nation of ours.

RAYMOND S HACKETT
Curepe