THE EDITOR: Much has been written, and will continue to be written about the fact that the most prosperous country in the English Speaking Caribbean, while having two Nobel Laureates in a decade to its credit, and having earned a seat on the ICC, has a sub-nation of under-20s who are functionally illiterate. One aspect of this problem, that could have been predictable, but wasn’t discussed, is the question of what language do we speak. The books we read are written in English, so are the essays our children must write to pass difficult exams, the Cambridge Overseas exams as well as the PSAT, SAT exams are written in English. Since de vernacular ting become we ting, everybody torkin like dey never read a book, and so de chirren and dem cyar recognise wat in de book as de same language dey does tork in de streets.

If we want de chirren to learn to read, dey mus hear de language at home too. De mudders and dem need to read to dey chirren. English wuz not always ah foreign language in de islands, but in the las 30 years or so, we trini ting take over, and now we chirren cyar read squat. The books instruction done become like ah forren language. Dat is why de chirren in de prestige schools and dem does succeed. Dey come from homes where people speak closer to wat dey go hear and see in de book, and de teachers and dem could read to de chirren. Even do one who come from de bush and from behind de bridge and dem places like dat, the few who do get in, could be absorbed by the majority. If the school have so much noise from nonsense and disturbed lives, how you go hear if de teacher reading? If de teacher reading standard language like dialect, she confusing war de chirren hearing. And dose inspectors of schools and such, war do dey speak, and the radio stations? In America, a foreign child can learn to pronounce words from listening to national public radio, or any major newscaster. What is the standard of TnT talk radio? Is there one, or is everyone doin e own ting?

There has to be a national commitment to education for it to work. Seems simple, doesn’t it? Quiet is a necessity of learning. The language of the text also needs to be the language of instruction. Perhaps we need some courses in teaching Standard English as a foreign language. I have no doubt that teachers are a dedicated lot. Everyone working in newspapers has to thank some teacher for teaching reading. The trouble is, we did not bring along enough of the others who were denied opportunity, and who return to communities where parents’ desires for their children cannot be turned into positive action, because they simply do not know how, or are too tired or beaten down. The more nonsense TV watched the harder it becomes to decode the language of instruction which unfortunately does not come in 15-minute soundbites with commercial laugh tracks. Those babies who survive the neo-natal units of our public hospitals, need to be read to, early, from the crib.

LINDA EDWARDS
Port-of-Spain

THE EDITOR: Please give me a little space in your newspaper to remind the relevant authorities of the sad plight of a body of forgotten, neglected, badly treated pensioners. I refer here to two letters published in your newspaper recently — one by retired school principal Samuel Doodnath the other by Ramdass Harrylal who wrote and got publication: “Nothing for Government Pensioners.” The case exists and presses for urgent attention for an early increase in pensions for retired school principals who, after giving over 40 years or so of service at the primary school level, are in receipt of the paltry sum of $1,600 per month at the age of 90 years and over.

This is a most pathetic and striking case of gross treatment, tantamount to injustice, discrimination and neglect. How can a teacher of this age with a family to support, has to meet all the facets of the ever-rising and high cost of living, medical bills consequent upon old age and ill health plus all the other exigencies that usually arise, continue to subsist? After giviging a life-time of service to the nation such pensioners do not have even the baisc necessities to exist in dignity. It is more than high time for Government to give priority to improving the living standards of this highly deserving and neglected body. One looks forward with much hope and expectation for some measure of relief — much-needed in this regard. There have been pay hikes all around. Lo and behold Government gave itself two huge salary increases in its first 12 months in power. Old age pension has been raised to $1,000 monthly . National Insurance pensioners are to move up to $1,000. The economy is in a healthy state, a natural gas and oil boom is in sight. In the face of such prosperity where is the “caring” and high quality of life promised by the Prime Minister? We seem to have moved from a “we care” to a “we couldn’t care less, let those who suffer, continue to do so attitude.” How appropriately has it been said, “the older a person becomes the need for adequate funding is more critical.” The time for this most pressing and deserving measure of increase is now — the appropriation of the new budget in progress.

JAMES  RAMNATH
Sangre Grande

THE EDITOR: I did not have the time before but I wanted to write you concerning your editorial of August 28, regarding the disastrous performance of prospective SRP’s in a simple dictation test. Your editorial poses the question: “What does that say about the effectiveness of our education system?” and the answer is simple. The Junior Secondary School system exists as a cauldron of indiscipline. And this is so because of the attitude of both parents and teachers. Sad to say, we are churning out hooligans faster than we dare to admit.

Our Government has remained content to mention how much money they are spending on education but they never attempt to quantify what they are getting for money spent. Fact is they do not have the political will to address this problem., recognising as they do that some trade unions are willing to go as far as injunctions in the High Court to protect their malingering members. It is a virtual hornet’s nest and can cost a lot of votes. We certainly need to have a proper programme for evaluation of the performance of teachers. What is the present system in place to evaluate their performance? How current are they in teaching methods and skills? How many of them utilise their long vacations to attend workshops, seminars and refresher courses?

Enough said. I need more especially to focus on the selection process of the SRPs. Are we as a nation satisfied that this dictation test is the best method for selecting those who must function as policemen? This dictation must be simpler than a Common Entrance or SEA examination. How then can we be be satisfied that the persons so selected are fit and proper to “Protect and Serve?” On several occasions I have seen comments in our newspapers from people who complain that in many instances our policemen seem disposed to behave in a manner quite counter to their motto. The fact is that those who manage to spell the words may not even know their meaning. Even more alarming is the statement by a senior government official that they were selecting “the cream of the crop.” If there is any cream there, then it must be the cream of the crumbs. Existing first world technology will render our dictation entrants very much out of their depth. Is it any wonder that the “massive assault on crime” turns out to be a vehicle de-tinting exercise with a brothel raided for good measure. I saw some persons charged for “lewd dancing,” but every night on Cable TV you can see much worse. So where is the consistency? Criminals can certainly take comfort in all of this as they continue to  be always one step ahead of the police.

Surely we are making it easy for them to thrive in their criminality. These SRP’s may well prove to we be a major embarrassment to the nation in years to come.As a nation aspiring to first world status by the year 2020 we must take action now that will set us on that path of performance and excellence. And this is where we become discouraged by this vision 2020 ambition: when those who must take us there do not seem to have a proper appreciation of what is required. I fear that we be may well be stalemated at 1818. I suggest that it is time that we place a standard on the entry level in the Police Service of at least 5 CXC passes which must include Maths and English. Additionally, we need an entry examination that will identify qualities such as comprehension skills, reasoning ability, knowledge of current events, social studies, psychological disposition, computer literacy.
During the colonial days it was okay to hire policemen who were well endowed physically and barely literate. This time has long passed. We be must look at the long term. I humbly submit that we need policemen who can function in this era of high and ever increasing technology. I dare say, we need high school and university graduates as police officers.

Ray Ramdeen
San Fernando

THE EDITOR: Please allow me a space in your newspaper to express my view on the customer service in this country. For too long citizens have had to tolerate the poor delivery of customer service provided by popular garment outlets. These sales people crowd the customers’ presence which instils a feeling of discomfort in them. They exhibit a sense of impatience and give one the feeling of being “stalked.” Such a feeling would naturally hinder the customers’ ability to examine commodities with ease as there is an atmosphere that one is being pressured into making a decision. Alternatively, there are instances when the customer enters an establishment and is totally ignored whilst sales people indulge in a private chit chat.

I sincerely sympathise with salespersons because I know that they work on commission and therefore feel compelled to conduct a sale. However, it is a display of poor taste and ethics to remain on the trail of the customer “like a K9  sniffing for drugs” at the airport. My suggestion is that sales people introduce themselves and offer assistance to the customer upon entrance and allow them to browse until they require their services. This would also allow them to attend to another customer who may be in need of assistance while the other makes a decision. In addition, management should provide some formal training in relation to “Quality Customer Service” in order to teach the employee how to capture the hearts of the new customers whilst maintaining the existing clientele of the organisation.

VANESSA FRANK
Arouca

THE EDITOR: I had the pleasure of attending the production Astor staged recently at Queen’s Hall, by The Astor Johnson Repertory Dance Theatre, and I must say I was extremely pleased at the level of dancing that the cast put forward on stage. I was disappointed at the attendance, as the hall seemed to be just half full, but from what I am told local dance shows do not attract a large following. However it is my opinion that Astor can rival any of the foreign efforts and surpass them by far.

I hope the committee would consider staging a repeat performance and taking it to Tobago, as I for one will attend again and it will give the rest of the nation a chance to see true Caribbean dance at its best.I congratulate the cast of Astor and look forward to a repeat and more shows of such high energy and quality.

BLARE MARIE ANTOINE
Maraval

THE EDITOR: Even the most casual observer of TT and Caribbean politics will be inclined to totally agree with Winston Dookeran’s assessment of the present state of the UNC and Panday’s outdated style of leadership. As I see it, the cheapest ticket to a PNM re-election is Panday’s continued leadership of the UNC. Panday is a major obstacle to cordial race relations in TT as well as any hope of meaningful Caribbean integration. He has outlived his political usefulness.

WADE KOJO WILLIAMS
Manitoba, Canada

THE EDITOR: As a public servant and customer of a commercial bank I am charged a fee each month for the processing of my salary. In the month of August due to some problems experienced by the bank, my account was overdrawn by $200. Due to the fact that I have incomes coming from different sources I was unaware of this overdraft. My dismay came not from the fact that I had to pay back the overdraft sum which I found was only to be fair and ethical but the fact that I had to pay an overdraft fee of $23. Why does the bank have to profit from their foul up? I find the fee unethical and totally atrocious.

SHERRYANN LYNCH
Port-of-Spain