Professor Ramesh Deosaran  made out a strong case yesterday for the concepts of faith, spirituality and divine devotion to be included in the education curriculum.

Speaking at the Caribbean Union College (CUC) graduation exercise on the theme “Education Lost Without a Moral Compass,” Deosaran said that the general  failure of educational systems in the Caribbean and across the world is the abundant  glorification of academic pursuit at the expense of or without regard to the building of wholesome characters. He said: “While the multitude of teaching fads come and go, while the teaching technology becomes more and more sophisticated, within the next 20 years we shall be forced to include more fully the concepts of faith, spirituality and divine devotion into our schooling, government schools especially. We will see that without these inner forces, human greed, crime, violence, social disorder and rampant incivility will multiply with devastating consequences.”

He told a packed gathering and about 156 students graduating with various degrees that secular knowledge such as they get from orthodox sociology, political science, biology, medicine, law, management studies, etc, does not necessarily provide the anchor for a civilised society. It is faith in the human spirit which will help the rise beyond the norms,  as the class aim says. The human spirit contains not only an awareness of a divine force within us; it also contains a moral sense of right and wrong which serves as an anchor, resistant to temptation and keeping us steady on the path of civility and self-respect. It is the absence of this moral compass which contributes to the fact that 70 percent of our serious crimes here and across the Caribbean are for crimes against the property of others. These crimes, he added,  originate from unwholesome characters. He went on to tell the graduates about corrupt politicians, predatory in all parts of the world, betraying public goodwill and trust. “We put them to guard our  interest, but it is like putting Dracula to guard the blood bank… Such plunderers are not poor, in fact, most of them are also very educated… It is not about poverty or about intellectual brilliance, but it’s about the need for wholesome character, spirituality and good conscience.” He warned that the Caribbean was reeling under the effects of growing disorder, violence and corruption, and it needs today, more than ever, institutions like CUC — A college which understands what a real education is all about. 

He said  when people tell him that poverty causes crime, he tells them if that were so then only rich people should be in heaven, recalling the Bible’s passage about it being easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. He suggested that it was not that the Lord has something against wealth. But hard, honest, work deserves its just reward.  The problem, he explained, is not wealth but greed, not material comfort but unbridled vanity. And that the pursuit of power and fame without moral restraint tends to corrode the soul. He further warned: “And education without moral vitality is like a ship without a compass. A society does not have to be very rich to be civilised. In fact, many a wealthy state has fallen when its moral foundation broke down. Decency and a sense of shame are virtues of the spirit, of good conscience, not economic commodities. Shame is the weapon of mass reconstruction. Civility depends not so much upon laws as upon a communal sense of shame for wrongdoings. Also addressing the graduation class was president of the college Dr Paul L van Putten II.

TRINIDAD AND Tobago will see a new look currency in $1, $10 and $100 denominations when the new notes begin circulating tomorrow.

A release from Central Bank explained that the notes will have a similar range of security features as the $5 and $20 notes that were issued in August, 2002. However these denominations will be the first notes to bear the signature of Governor Ewart S Williams. The features on the notes include a vertical band printed with iridescent gold ink on the reverse side, vertical and horizontal numbering of increasing size, a see-through design in the form of a bird and duplex patterned designs in several locations. In addition, all the notes will carry large textured value numerals on the front, bottom left and right corners to facilitate handling by the visually impaired. However additional security features have been added to the $20 and $100 denominations. The $20 notes features a gold foil hibiscus on the right side of the face of the note, while the $100 notes bears a silver-based hologram in the shape of a shield on the front right side of the note. All currency notes bearing the previous designs will remain legal and continue to circulate side by side with the upgraded notes until the old notes are phased out.

AS often happens, raised expectations inevitably bring a few disappointments.

A case in point occurred at the Jean Pierre Complex in Woodbrook on Saturday night where “Caribbean’s Sweetest Voices in Concert” was staged by Randy Glasgow Productions in collaboration with Classic Promotions International. Featured artistes at the special Mother’s Day concert were Jamaica’s Glen Wash-ington, billed as “reggae’s sweetest voice” and this country’s “sweet soca man,” the Baron (Timothy Watkins). A large portion of the several thousand patrons-strong audience (mostly female) gathered at the venue, however, could not stay the distance to experience the performance of Baron, since his set started at 12.40 am Sunday, and he was still belting out his string of hits on stage as we app-roached two o’clock.

It continues to baffle me that promoters advertise having special artistes “in concert” but arrange their playbills in such a thoughtless manner that the “featured” acts take the stage so late (or early in the morning, if you prefer) that by then most patrons had had enough and are seen heading for the exits. Most times guest performers are the ones who appear to be “in concert.” A prompt 8.30 pm start ushered in Saturday night’s first guest performer, Dex-ter Theophile. With tight musical support from the Roy Cape Kaiso All Stars, he opened his account with a smooth rendition of “Here and Now,” made popular by R&B singer, Luther Vandross. His other choices included the late Bob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry” and “Don’t Worry ‘Bout A Thing.”

Then came Shur-wayne Winchester who attempted, with varying degrees of success, to get early audience participation during his offerings that included “Take Your Time,” “Baby Love,” and “Wine However You Want.” Young King Calypso Monarch 2003 Roger George showed off his powerful voice and astonishing vocal range that seemed to nudge the emotions of the many females in the audience during his repertoire of songs, among which was the prize-winning “These Are The Days.” Its musical statements proving, on yet another occasion, that it is not just a “calypso band,” the Roy Cape Orchestra and its frontline singers then entertained with an array of well-chosen selections before we were treated to the saucy, spicy, sometimes questionable, but seemingly appreciated humour of female entertainer Donna Hadad.

It was 10.30 pm when Glen Washing-ton made his appearance and the dancing began. Sweet reggae music drenched the Complex as Washington, backed by his full orchestra, delivered a joyful one and a half hour performance of songs that included “Mr Music,” “Moving On,” “Consider Me,” “Let Jah Be Praised,” “Single Mothers” and “If Loving You Is Right.” Keyboardist and noted musical arr-anger, Leston Paul, joined the Cape orchestra for Baron’s after-the-interval showcase. The bard’s opening selection, “Lady,” served as the invitation for patrons to assemble in front of the stage and engage in their individual expressions of frolic and celebration.Though, by now, most are familiar with Baron’s stock repertoire, the rich texture, style and substance of the music made for renewed enjoyment of favourites such as “Feeling It,” “In A Party,” “Tell Me Why,” “Nobody’s Soldier” and “This Soca Is For You.” He teamed up with Washington to do “Help Me Make It Through The Night” before delving into his medley of love songs, starting with “Fools Rush In” and inclusive of “Dream, Dream, Dream,” “You Are My Special Angel,” “Guava Jelly” and “Red, Red Wine.” His early morning session had those with the fortitude to endure dancing away to their hearts’ content. Show host was radio personality, CG.

THE month-long sick-out by doctors appeared to have ended at least at the San Fernando General Hospital, with a retrun to work at the weekend of both junior and senior medical officers.

The SFGH saw an almost full turnout of doctors at the Accident and Emergency department and the medical and surgical wards yesterday. South West Regional Health Authority chairman, Imtiaz Ahmad, in confirming this, told Newsday yesterday: “We seem to have been heading for a return to service. I think the doctors were pleased with the outcome of the negotiations, with only two issues left unsettled.” Ahmad said that prior to Friday, there was an increase in doctors working at the hospital. He added that even after a protest of some 30 doctors against Dr Anand Chatoor-goon’s appointment as Ag Medical Chief of Staff, the doctors returned to their respective jobs.

There are 130 doctors working at the SFGH. Chatoorgoon told Newsday yesterday that since Thursday last, his office had not received any sick leave from doctors, nor has any medical officer reported sick. Chatoorgoon said that he was at his office on Saturday and that patient admissions from A & E ap-peared to have been normal. “I met and spoke to several senior doctors. That is an indication that they are back,” Chatoorgoon said. Contacted yesterday, president of the Medical Professional Association of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Colin Furlonge, ans-wered the call on his cellular, but when this reporter identified himself from Newsday, he switched off the phone. Repeated efforts to contact him seconds afterwards were met with a voice message.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Minister Joan Yuille-Williams says an investment in the nation’s women will lead to a brighter future for all the people of Trinidad and Tobago. Addressing the launch of the second cycle of the Women in Harmony Project at Crowne Plaza yesterday, the Minister observed that World Bank reports of the 1980s have called upon governments worldwide “to invest in the education and training of women and girls.”

“The rationale then was that this would improve the health of families, lead to individual empowerment and ultimately to collective economic growth for the country. This remains a valid strategy for our society, for while broad human development indicators may depict a rather advanced situation, we are very much aware of the pokcets of our population that can easily be left behind. We are paying attention to this. No woman, no man, no child must be left behind,” she declared.

Yuille-Williams explained that two trends in the country’s vital and labour statistics have influenced the need and design of the project. These include life expectancy rates over age 65 with identifiable support needs which offer “enormous opportunity for the expansion of our social service response, particularly for home health care” and increasing numbers of female heads of households which provides an opportunity to help these women “build their economic capacity and their capacity to earn a sustainable livelihood.”

The Minister stressed that the elimination of gender bias as a “development bottleneck” must be a central objective of policy if the gains to be achieved in the path to developed country status are to be maximised. Junior Community Development Minister Eulalie James shared her sentiments and gave the assurance that men had nothing to fear as the project sought to promote equity in employment in Trinidad and Tobago. The project will involve the training of 550 persons in elderly care and agriculture over a six-month period.

Advancing globalisation has compelled Government to rethink the way it conducts business and demands that it changes the way it has organised and structured its institutions, said Senator Conrad Enill, Minister in the Ministry of Finance. The changes of which he spoke will have to be in  the business processes which these institutions utilise, and the nature of resources, particularly their human resource.

Speaking at the Customs and Excise Annual Long Service Awards on Saturday night, Senator Enill said: “Our institutions can no longer continue to dispense their services in the traditional manner. The world in general, and this country in particular, has evolved at a pace and a rate, while many of our systems and our people have not been able to respond.” He asked the gathering whether they were happy with the efforts they have made in improving the service deliveryed to citizens, based on a changing and competitive new environment. He said the mere fact that these institutions significantly impact the prospects of economic growth and development, means that they must be continuously improved.  To do otherwise would place this country’s aspirations in serious jeopardy.

Senator Enill explained that the Customs and Excise Division plays a particularly crucial role in the process of trade liberalisation and facilitation, and must also be seen as the first line of defence in our national security agenda: “You are, therefore, one of the frontline delivery institutions of Government.” He said he was aware that the Division has embarked on some initiatives to respond to the emerging challenges, and has accepted the mandate to achieve international standards of performance and service. These intentions, he said, must be transformed into reality to improve management accountability, succession planning and eliminate practices that provide opportunity for willing parties to subvert the credibility and effectiveness of the Division. Comptroller of Customs, Ralph Newton, also addressed the function and emphasised that the Division prides itself on its honesty and  ethical behaviour and that “integrity” was its  bulwark.  He also paid tribute to the men and women under him, both active and retired. The crowd also heard from Glenn Washington, who heads a party of US customs officers currently working with  local officers in an advisory capacity.

FAILURE TO tackle the widening socio-economic inequalities in the world of work not only amounts to accepting a waste of human talent and resources, but could have disastrous effects on national social cohesion, political stability and growth in years to come. This, according to the Inter-national Labour Organisation’s first global report on discrimination at work, which was launched today.

The report, which is the ILO’s most comprehensive study on the subject to date, states that while the more blatant forms of discrimination may have faded, it remains a persistent and daily part of the world of work or is taking on new, more subtle forms that are cause for growing concerns. The report, entitled “Time for equality at work,” was prepared under the ILO’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and is expected to examine, for the first time, the state of discrimination in the world of work today. The reports states that “this may be the most challenging task of contemporary society, and is essential for social peace and democracy.”

The report shows that many of those who suffer from discrimination — especially on the basis of their sex or colour — face a persistent equality gap that divides them from dominant groups who enjoy a better life, or even their own peers who have benefited from anti-discrimination laws and policies. The report states that prejudice, stereotypes and biases are to be blamed for continuing discrimination that has resisted decades of legal efforts and policy measures against unequal treatment at work, enacted by governments, workers and employers.

SECRETARY General of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) Lyle Townsend yesterday responded to correspondence by TSTT Industrial Relations Manager Robert Lipton, on bilateral negotiations regarding payment of wages to workers for acting and extra duties allowances.

In a release, Townsend said the Union was not aware that any employee had been paid, what they were paid for and reasons for being paid.He referred to a former communication from Lipton, which stated that “arrangements have been made to pay on May 2, 2003, outstanding retroactive benefits in respect of Acting and Extra Duty (Overtime) Allowance.”

THE Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) says there are water mains in Trinidad and Tobago that are more than 80 years old, and unable to withstand the pressure.

The result is that the  increased volume of water going through them, is responsible for the frequency of burst mains. A plan is in place to replace those mains over time. WASA has also commended the public for playing a significant role in keeping with the Authority’s conservation plan. They have been using the Toll Free 800-LEAK number to report leaks and burst mains, and WASA said it has been responding as quickly as possible.

Concerned residents from Curepe and Valsayn North have condemned government’s decision to use what they call “prime agriculture lands in Ramgoolie Settlement” for the purpose of constructing houses.

The group, consisting of the National Food Crop Farmers Association, Curepe Farmers Association, concerned residents of Ramgoolie Settlement, Curepe and Valsayn North held a demonstration at the entrance of the proposed site of the Ramgoolie Trace Housing Development on Saturday to protest the bulldozing of the site by the National Housing Authority on May 2. A release from the group explained that on May 2, officials from the NHA came to Ramgoolie Settlement and bulldozed the area, which they claimed contained bodi, tomatoes, patchoi, pumpkin and paw paw trees belonging to over 25 farms, without giving any prior notice to the farmers. The group pointed out that the struggle to keep prime agriculture lands for agricultural use and for the preservation of the environment must become priority for all. Public Relations Specialist of the National Food Crop Farmers Association, Anderson Morris, stated that any further disregard for the food basket of the nation must not be tolerated.