Simple solutions to a few of our problems

I am reminded of my mother who died two years ago at the age of 95. She was one of the most intelligent people I have ever known, although she had the benefit of just two years formal schooling, just enough to learn to read and count.

There was hardly ever any topic she was not versed on and very few things she could not do. It just goes to show, you don’t need a PhD or MBA to be smart.

I would like to think I inherited some of her intelligence.

Several matters have been aired recently which seem to have rather simple remedies that those people with all their book learning seem to miss because they are unable to think simply: 1. The question of racism.

In Trinidad that does not exist.

Every ethnic group has intermarried since the first settlers arrived on these islands and have lived in perfect harmony.

The divide that exists is based on education and behaviour differences. Politicians must stop beating this dead horse.

2. The question of child-flogging. The older generation who grew up being flogged by their parents, and sometimes even by caring neighbours, did not produce the callous murderers and bandits we have today.

Those generations produced respectful, productive, hard-working and loving individuals.

Failure to correct children because those in authority consider flogging cruel breeds criminals who these same people in authority will lock away in a very small room, for quite a long while, without considering that punishment to be cruel. Prevention is always better than cure.

3. The death penalty. Over the past ten years these islands have experienced about 4,000 murders, give or take a few hundred. This should be looked at from a mathematical approach. How many murderers have committed these murders? Four thousand, 400, 100, 50? The lower the number of murderers the higher the number of people each has killed on average. The death penalty, if imposed, would save the lives of many people.

4. Banning of prayers in schools. These are the formative years of our children who mimic what they see and hear. Teach them good and they will imitate good. Some parents choose to send their children to schools where praying before and after classes is practised and then they object to their children being exposed to prayer.

Those who object to prayer are a minority yet their demand becomes law. Why are the parents who want the practice of praying keeping quiet? Stand up for your right and let the children whose parents are against this practice stay outside the class until the prayer is over. Religion does play an important role in the formation of good character.

Note : Ever notice that the Judiciary always starts its year with a religious service at the Trinity Cathedral as well the politicians also begin their year with prayers? So why not in schools? 5. Suspended schoolchildren.

Simply suspend the offending child until such time that one parent comes and spends a day in class alongside the child. I guarantee the child will never misbehave in school again.

R DEANE Diego Martin