Why are SoE articles mediocre, Mr Best?

THE EDITOR: I write not to engage Lloyd Best in debate, but to help clear some of the misconceptions he may have cultivated in the minds of many in our society. I speak specifically with respect to comments he made about the weekly column the School of Education has been producing in one of our daily newspapers.

Mr. Best to my mind, because of his philosophical mindset, sees the world in a particular mould. For him our society is in need of radical change through draconian strategies. I certainly cannot disagree with such a focus. What concerns me, however, is his attempt to pass judgment on issues in a domain in which he is not necessarily versed. In our society, it is believed that anybody can teach or make pronouncements on education. This is why many may hold on to comments on education by Lloyd Best on Republic Day.

I submit that Mr. Best may be right if he is suggesting that our educators are not reading the implications of the turbulence in the global and local environment. However, I cannot condone his argument that articles of the School of Education are mediocre — especially when he may not be aware of the objectives of these articles. The main objective of the articles is to stimulate debate on educational issues among educators and responsible citizens like Lloyd Best. Indeed, Mr. Best has responded, but not in the way I consider desirable. Under no circumstances was the column intended to be revolutionary or earth shattering. I have good reason to believe that the column has been realising the objectives established by the School of Education. It is unfortunate that a man with the stature of Lloyd Best has failed to recognise this achievement.

RAYMOND S HACKETT
Curepe