THE EDITOR: It was shocking to learn the results of the recently concluded SRP’s assessment written by 11,700 applicants. According to the results, more than half of the applicants failed a simple dictation test. How sad!
The CXC examinations also revealed that the majority of students failed in English Language and Mathematics again, how sad! What do the results of both assessments reveal about education in our nation? Why such a high failure rate in a simple dictation assessment, and why are students at CXC level failing English and Maths? Are we failing our nation’s citizens and school children? At the recent Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) every student was assigned a secondary school place in our nation’s high schools, yet with “universal” secondary education for all, students are still failing, falling through the cracks and dropping out of schools. so where have we failed our nation’s youth? The whole education system needs revamping from pre-school to tertiary level. Our school system is still too academically oriented; more trade and vocational schools are needed. From elementary school, students are prepared for exams such as the SEA followed by school leaving, the 14-Plus, CXC, A Levels. All through their school years children are being “forced” to write exams. Why? Our secondary school population is still caught up in preparing for examinations all through their school life.
The reason for the high failure rate in our nation’s schools is the fact that our children are not fully prepared and are not given the correct choices, so every year thousands are going to be left behind. As our nation’s youth return to their classrooms for another academic year (Sept 2003-July 2004), I am hoping that more emphasis will be placed on “qualitative” education, rather than quantity. Yes we need to educate our youth, but they must have an education system which will prepare them for the world as adults. Can we afford to fail our nation’s youth, and allow our youth to continue failing? PS: “World Literacy Day” will be celebrated on September 8, 2003. I would encourage my fellow citizens to do some reading on that day.
KEN SMITH
Woodbrook
THE EDITOR: Prophet Muhammad (pboh) is reported to have said: Islam started in a strange way. Due to this many people cannot understand a lot of things about this noble faith. One such person is Dr Chris Mahadeo who wrote a letter to the press “Islam is behind in many areas.”
Dr Mahadeo should try to find out the real cause for the impact that Islam is having on the minds and hearts of people in spite of negative advertisements worldwide. To say that, “Islam continues to promulgate a backward approach to everything that is moving forward,” is to agree that displaying naked bosoms and bottoms, promiscuity, gay marriages, etc are helping mankind to “move forward”. Dr Mahadeo should identify which civilisation is being referred to, American or European or all. In any case they are all morally bankrupt and are in the process of self destruction. It might be revealing to Dr Mahadeo that no culture can surpass Islamic culture, as its norms, values and the basic principles for healthy living are all based on divine revelations. Hence the reason Islamic culture is not subjected to change. It is universal, with common symbols for every race and people including worship, dress, moral principles and rights and duties. If some Muslims should misrepresent Islam, for whatever reason, the blame is not on the religion, but on those who manifest deviations from the revealed code. In conclusion I wish to point out that the problems of Palestine, Kashmir, division of India and Pakistan, destruction of indigenous peoples in Australia, America, the slave trade of Africa, etc are all creations of “western civilisation.” It is the same civilisation that is today telling the world that “might is right.” May Allah save us from such evil and instill in our hearts love so that we can desire for our brother what we would like for ourselves, be it in Palestine or elsewhere.
DR WAFFIE MOHAMMED
Port-of-Spain
THE EDITOR: After enduring a brief episode of being discharged from the Port-of-Spain General Hospital with a life-threatening ailment, I was later on referred to the thoracic surgery unit at the Mount Hope Hospital. After reviewing the same chest x-ray that the doctors in the Port-of-Spain General Hospital reviewed, the doctors at the Thoracic Surgical Unit immediately went into action.
The first question that was asked of me by the beautiful receiving nurse after reviewing the referral letter was, “Where’s the ambulance that brought you here and why aren’t you in a wheel chair?” After assuring her that I was discharged from Port-of-Spain General in my condition and was told to visit the Unit, I was immediately placed in a wheel chair and escorted to a bed where a tube was professionally inserted into my side to assist in my breathing. I was discharged from the Port-of-Spain General with a collapsed lung. I had felt a pain on the left of my chest a week and a half earlier and I was taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital in an ambulance. A heart attack was ruled out after further examination and I was told that I should come back in a week or so for an X-ray even though I had complained that day of having short of breath.
A week later when I returned for the X-ray, the doctor who looked at the X-ray told me that he was sure that I had a collapsed lung but that I should visit the clinic the next day because he wanted some of his superiors to “have a look at the X-ray to be certain that he was correct.” The next day it was decided that my lung had in fact collapsed and the doctor immediately wrote a referral note for me to take to Mount Hope hospital. He also reminded me that I should take some clothes “in case they may want to admit me.” He was not sure they would. I want to take the opportunity to thank the doctors, nurses, nurse’s aides and workers at the Thoracic Surgical Unit for the professional work and conduct that they exemplified. They essentially saved my life and I am very grateful. I couldn’t ask for more kind-hearted and beautiful people as the people I met at the Unit. The nurses are terrific. Again I want to say thank you for a job well done. If I’m ever to be hospitalised again, I know that there’s still hope at Mount Hope. I cannot honestly say this about the Port-of-Spain General Hospital. Thank you.
QUEELY RICHARDSON
Port-of-Spain
THE EDITOR: I am a regular visitor to Maracas beach and have always used the car park and paid my ten dollar parking fee believing that this contribution went towards the upkeep of the facility. It seemed like a good deal, as there must be very few places in the world left where a family could spend a day in such beautiful surroundings for the cost of only ten dollars. It has always bothered me however, that so many visitors to the beach parked on both sides of the road to avoid the parking fee (presumably) and creating traffic jams in the process.
Notwithstanding the deplorable state of the car park, visitors have now taken to parking on the beach. Not only are they competing for prime space with other persons sitting/walking on the beach, this practice has brought a new traffic hazard to beach users (many of whom are children). Some drivers leave car doors open with music blasting, disturbing the peace, and the litter problem has unfortunately worsened. I am appealing to TIDCO to address this issue. I am not sure what has changed recently to allow all this vehicular traffic access to the beach, but I do hope a stop is put to it soon. The beach has lost much of its appeal to me. After all, who wants to smell diesel fumes while eating their bake and shark!! If the deplorable state of the parking facility (which to my mind is currently a health hazard) is due to insufficient funds, may I suggest the posting of police officers at the beach to dispense parking tickets to all visitors parked inappropriately. Or even better, that the cars be “wrecked” to the nearby police station, with affected persons having to pay two hundred dollars to redeem their vehicle. Think of all the added revenue! Come on TIDCO, do something now to put an end to this new trend and please, please upgrade the car park so that it is a place fit for the preparation and sale of food.
A GHENT
Santa Cruz
THE EDITOR: You may publish this letter written to Mr Colm Imbert, Minister of Health:
Dear Sir, I take this opportunity to commend Dr Kevin Moze (Dentist), dental nurse and assistant assigned to the Dental Unit at the St James Health Centre for the first class service which was given to me when I was in urgent need of professional help. Dr Moze performed my extraction in a professional way. I was surprised at his demeanour in providing such quality service. I experienced no pain at all. It all started when I visited a private dentist in St James to extract my tooth. In the year 2003 to extract a tooth I had to undergo tremendous pain, and the dentist told me I had to undergo surgery because the tooth could not be extracted and surgery would cost $500. I left that office in pain to obtain the money, and discuss the matter with my husband and my colleagues at work. They all advised me to visit the St James Health Centre to extract the tooth. Indeed surgery was not necessary. Dr Moze successfully extracted the tooth in a painless manner. It is time that positive feedback can be given on behalf of the Ministry of Health in light of all the negatives. There are many public officers rendering quality work. Thank you Dr Moze and keep up the professional work which is being offered to the public at St James Health Centre. May God continue to bless you.
JACQUELINE JULIEN
Port-of-Spain
TWENTY-ONE TSTT employees were questioned by Fraud Squad officers over the weekend in connection with an attempt to effect illegal wire transfers through the company’s bankers.
Fraud Squad officers said yesterday that the employees were questioned following a report made on Friday to the police by TSTT. The report, lodged with the police, involved the attempt to process three illegal wire transfers amounting to $4.7 million. The illegal wire transfers were discovered by the company’s finance personnel on Friday, and stopped before they could be effected. A senior TSTT official told Newsday that police are pursuing the matter and the company could not divulge more on the investigation because it was now at a very sensitive stage. Newsday learnt that the employees who were quizzed about the attempted illegal transfers were also questioned about their role in recent kidnappings throughout the country. Fraud Squad officers said yesterday that they are pursuing the investigation along certain lines and they are hopeful of making a breakthrough shortly.
Officers claimed that they intend to further question a few employees who were already quizzed over the weekend. They added that based on information received, TSTT may have been defrauded in the past through illegal wire transfers and an expert in this field may be called in to assist in the investigation. Newsday learnt that some of the employees who were questioned complained about the intense interrogation by the police. The union has written TSTT protesting the manner in which the investigation has been handled thus far. TSTT is the sole licensed provider of telephone services in Trinidad and Tobago. The company is jointly owned by the Government, which owns 51 percent, and Cable and Wireless, which own 49 percent.
Three witnesses yesterday gave evidence before Chief Mag-istrate Sherman Mc Nicolls in the inquiry into the death of 16-year-old Jamal Jerome on April 18, 2003.
Jamal was shot dead at his Gonzales Ter-race, Gonzales home by gunmen pretending to be police officers. His sister Sherrifa was also shot in her chest but survived the attack. Shondelle Riley, 26, of Maloney Trace, East Dry River, is charged with the murder. The charge was laid by Acting Insp-ector Glenn Sylvester of the Belmont Police Station. Riley yesterday hobbled into the holding dock with the aid of crutches. He was dressed in a white t-shirt and blue jeans and sat calmly as the witnesses gave evidence. The deceased’s aunt Petra “Indy” Jerome, PC Wayne Phillip and another man gave evidence under the guidance of State Prosecutor Marissa Gomez. Defence attorney Wayne Sturge represented Jerome. Magistrate Mc Nicolls adjourned the matter to September 15.
SHELDON “Skelly” Lovell appeared in the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court yesterday with four others charged with the murder of kidnap victim Dennis Jodhan. They were also charged with the kidnapping of psychologist Dr Ronald John, brother of former UNC Government Minister, Carlos John.
Lovell, 31, of Pelican Extension, Morvant, is jointly charged with Sean “Gumbo” Vincent, 29, also of Pelican Extension, Morvant; Rondelle Roberts, Jason Joseph and Brent “Small Brent” Danglade, all of no fixed addresses. The charges were laid by Cpl Jordan of the Homicide Bureau. Jodhan, 30, was kidnapped from his Lyndon Street, Curepe home on December 23, 2002 for a ransom of $80,000. His body was discovered on December 28, 2002, on a road leading to an agricultural estate off the Churchill Roosevelt Highway in Aranguez. Dr John was snatched from his Woodbrook home on March 26, 2003, for a ransom of $5 million. He was rescued by police three days later at a house on Upper Fairley Street, Tunapuna. In the absence of Magistrate Ejenny Espinet, Justice of the Peace Eugene Prince presided in court and adjourned the matter to today.
FOUR-YEAR-OLD Cheyenne Chin Choy was yesterday at the Wendy Fitzwilliam Paediatric Hospital at Mt Hope, awaiting surgery on her legs which were broken in last Saturday’s accident at Manzanilla.
A weekend outing to Mayaro turned tragic when she and nine other people were involved in a three-car accident last Saturday at Manzanilla. Two of them have died. Cheyenne was yesterday watching the Disney Movie Finding Nemo on a personal computer while being closely watched by her grandmother who is visiting from the United States. She has stitches on her face and an intravenous tube is in her arm. Although heavily sedated, she is traumatised. Her father, Yuri, told Newsday that she would fall asleep for five minutes then wake up because of nightmares. She told her parents she does not want to go to Mayaro again and has been asking why the accident took place. Cheyenne was eagerly looking forward to starting school at St Bernadette’s but this will have to be postponed. The operation on her legs was delayed because the hospital did not have sufficient stock of her rare blood type, AB. A public appeal generated a good response on Tuesday, but tests had to be done before the blood could be used. Her parents were yesterday waiting to speak with the specialist who would be doing the surgery on Cheyenne’s legs. The family is especially concerned about surgery on her right knee because “pins” will be inserted.
Yuri described the incident as “unfortunate” and said his life has changed. He has driven on the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway once since Cheyenne has been warded and instead uses the Eastern Main Road. Yuri said he likes to lime and is an “average Trini” but he also loves his daughter. He said the TT culture of liming, drinking and driving has to stop. The accident reminded him that life is precious. “My only daughter could have been dead. The rushing, urgency and what you think is important is not.” A car driven by 22-year-old Aknath Basdeo was heading in a northerly direction along the Manzanilla/Mayaro Road when he tried to overtake a truck in front of him. Basdeo’s car collided with another car driven by Chin Choy’s great-grandfather Errol Toussaint, 64. He is warded at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital.
The bloated body of a man was discovered in a drain at Trantril Road, Caroni, with his hands tied to the front of his body. He was clad in a green jersey and grey short pants.
Police investigators believe that the man was killed elsewhere and his body dumped in Caroni. Reports revealed that around 11.15 am yesterday, farmers on the way to their rice fields were alerted to a foul stench emanating from the drain located 300 feet east of the Southern Main Road and Trantril Road, Caroni. The farmers made a check and discovered the bloated body of a man. Officers of the St Joseph Police Station were alerted and a party of officers led by Inspector Hutchins, Sgt Johnny Abraham and others went to the scene as well as Cpl Clarine Diamond, the police photographer, and the District Medical Officer. The body bore no form of identification. Police investigators told Newsday that it appears that the person who was killed may be part of a gang.
The senior officer pointed out that with the arrest of 12 persons over the weekend for questioning into murder and kidnapping, some members of gangs based along the East/West Corridor seem to be scared about persons giving key information to the police. They believe that the person who was killed and his body dumped in Caroni may have been part of a gang. The man is about 35 to 40 years of age, about five feet seven inches tall and is of African descent. His eyes were sealed with duct tape. Investigators told Newsday that because the body was thrown into a drain, the state of decomposition was decreased. Anyone with information on the identity of the man can contact the St Joseph Police or Crime Stoppers. Fingerprints of the man were sent to the Police Fingerprint section to ascertain if he had a criminal record.
