Pantin sees link between education and violence

The advice and warning came from Servol chairman Fr Gerard Pantin, at the launch of the mentoring programme "Translations" at the Central Bank auditorium, Port-of-Spain, yesterday. The programme is a joint initiative between Servol, Central Bank and the National Entrepreneurship Development Company Ltd (Nedco).

In his remarks at the launch, Pantin said it was "sad that no one is making the link between education and violence." He pointed out that most youths who today were committing heinous violent, criminal acts have gone through the school system.

He insisted that "we are a gifted people," but yet "40 percent of all persons emerge functionally illiterate (from the school system)."

Pantin said we must relate the education system to the wider society or else we will be lost. He said violence begins in the womb of mothers when they get pregnant, and are left by the fathers. He said they are made to feel "slighted and bitter when the sweet boy is gone, and worse yet when the baby resembles the father." He said rage is taken out on the child who later releases his pent up anger.

Pantin stressed, "We need a vibrant education system that taps into the talent of young people," and he vowed that Servol will continue with the battle to have a relevant education system that is an inspiration to the youths.

Central Bank Governor, Ewart Williams, in explaining the concept of the programme, said it is geared towards improving "students’ self esteem, self image and self confidence."

"It is based on the self-fulfilling prophecy that if students think positively about themselves, they will feel more confident and will believe in their ability to realise their personal and professional dreams."

He said Translations is expected to touch the lives of at least 1,000 students through a series of inspirational lectures. The programme has two modules. The first has a theme of "You can do it" and will consist of one session for each Servol Life Centre, where a motivational speaker will address issues of self esteem and self motivation. A Servol graduate will also give a testimonial.

The second module is entitled "Entrepreneurial Skills Development" and will be executed in collaboration with Nedco.

It will target students graduating from Servol’s 17 trade programmes.

Williams also indicated that the bank will work with Servol students to produce a Translations booklet containing poems, short stories and creative writings of students. The bank will also provide support to Servol with the redesigning of its website.

The governor also applauded Servol for its community work, pointing out that the country should take a cue from the organisation’s mission statement. That is, "an organisation of weak, frail, ordinary, imperfect yet hope-filled and committed people seeking to help weak, frail, ordinary, imperfect, hope-drained people become agents of attitudinal and social change."

Williams said, "We all need help, and living the ideals involved therein will go a long way towards addressing the serious ills that now plague our nation.

"If only we could develop a national culture of caring and concern and helpfulness to one another. If only we could really be each other’s keeper, what a great place this would be."

Also at yesterday’s launch, Glenda Carew, Nedco’s centre manager, told students to remember `that entrepreneurship was always an option.