An excuse for their incompetence?

THE EDITOR: I have listened, as objectively as possible, over the last few years to what Selwyn Cudjoe has had to say. Even as a Trinbagonian of African descent, I have taken much of what he has said with a few grains of salt. However, his latest statements concerning Indian teachers and African students are just inflammatory.

I am a recently-retired primary school teacher who has taught in several schools in Central Trinidad for over three decades. Needless to say, many of my fellow teachers were of Indian descent. I can tell you in no uncertain terms that never have I seen a case where a teacher — of any ethnicity — shortchanged any student because of their ethnic background. Our students are like our own children and “mother does not discriminate between her children.” Dr Cudjoe’s intentions are indeed questionable when he ventures out on territory such as this. As an intellectual, one would have hoped that he would have had some understanding of the implications of his remarks before making them. Indeed, his remarks are counter-productive to his stated cause of the “empowerment of African people.” Do you empower Africans by giving them a (false) excuse to explain away their incompetence? Surely, you do know that by now a large portion of our African parents are blaming the fact that their 16-year old can barely spell his name on each and every Indian teacher his child has ever had.

By blaming Indian teachers for African academic shortcomings, Dr Cudjoe is also saying that Indian students excel because of favoritism by Indian teachers. Is it wise to mask African problems by marginalising the achievements of another ethnic group? Instead of giving us these superficial explanations for African under-achievement in education, how about giving us some concrete reasons and tangible suggestions for change. For example, one of the major areas which fuels the problem is the practically non-existent nature of African family life. Many times, fathers are absent or both parents are not around and a grandmother or aunt is left to look after the child. The lack of stability in the home leaves the child to fend for himself psychologically, emotionally and academically. It is time that our intellectuals and politicians stop giving us the tools for playing the blame-game. Africans need to stand up and accept responsibility for their actions. Blaming our fellow Trinbagonians will, in the long run, ruin us completely.

GEORGE BAYNES
Chaguanas