Vision 2020 heading for a black hole

THE EDITOR: Vision 2020. Exploring the education system, looking at the institution of the family, examining all facets of our national life in order to make us a Total Quality nation by the year 2020. Does anyone remember the last five-year plan on education commissioned by a PNM government in 1992? I do, because I contributed to it as a representative of the Ministry of Education Central Guidance Unit. I’m not surprised if no one else recalls it for the simple reason that it was never put into practice or utilised in any way, except as a door-stopper somewhere in the Ministry. That five-year plan on education suggested that there be a national assessment examination for children at about age seven or eight. This was meant to identify possible learning difficulties as early as possible so that remedial work could begin. It became national standardised exams, putting an extra burden on teachers as they struggle to get through the curriculum for the exam and make sure that their children pass. That was never the point. But it does illustrate how well these plans are understood by the policy makers and how faithfully they are followed. Perhaps the education plan should have included functional literacy tests for all government Ministers and MPs.

What, then, is the point of Vision 2020? Its critics may say it has none. I beg to disagree. It has several aims:
1. It looks like the government is doing something. (Very important to distinguish this from actually doing something, which is not on the agenda). The sub-committees are likely to take some months to report, so it looks like the government is doing something at all times.
2. It silences all the critics of government policy, since all the people most likely to criticise will naturally be kept busy on the various sub-committees. If they refuse to participate, then clearly they can no longer be taken seriously since they only want to talk instead of doing anything concrete.
3. There are numerous wonderful photo-opportunities when all the plans are handed in — government looks efficient and businesslike, receiving important reports from national experts.

I am sure there are others, but these are the ones which spring most easily to mind. The shame of it is that many, many people will volunteer their time and expertise, only to see the whole thing disappear into a black hole at the end. And the tragedy of it is that some of our most helpless citizens, the children, continue to suffer, while this self-serving, cynical, public relations exercise takes place. I am reminded of a character in one of Charles Dickens’ novels, Bleak House. This lady was a volunteer for all kinds of worthy causes involving the poor in far-off lands — but she completely neglected her own home and family. Her beautiful eyes were always gazing into the distance. I don’t know if anyone in our government has beautiful eyes, but I would recommend they use the ones they have, read the reports which already exist on so many of the issues to be covered in Vision 2020, and actually start implementing.
Save us all a lot of wasted time and effort.

KAREN MOORE
Champs Fleurs