The following is shared from caribbeansignal.com on the issue of a controversial survey sponsored by the Ministry of Education – Blogmaster
October 6, 2022 by Amit Uttamchandani
Code.org responds to questions around controversial test in Barbados

On October 5th, Barbados Today published an article about a controversial computer science test held in Barbados.
The original article, and subsequent Oct 6 articles mentioned Code.org, the Ministry of Education, Technological & Vocational Training, and the Inter-American Development Bank, (see here, here and here). I contacted Code.org on October 5 and asked the following questions:

Today (Oct 6), I received the following reply from Code.org:

As per BT’s initial Oct 5 and 6th articles, and Code.org’s Oct 6th reply to my queries (and the IDB’s Oct 6th statement and apology, and The Ministry’s response and apology), it seems – to me at least – that Code.org was not involved.
Posted by caribbeansignal.com
Controversial Survey as under:


























One sibling started her nursing career at the old General Hospital on Jemmott’s Lane and continued at the new QEH once it opened. At the time that sibling began GP was in 3rd form. Another sibling served as a cop for more than a decade. We all lived in the same home during the first few years of their careers. Another served as a public health inspector for a few years before switching careers.
I int born yesterday.
GP can bullshit wunna who born yesterday, but he can’t fool me.
Tom Adams as an upper middle class “town” boy who lived in England for much of his young adulthood probably didn’t know head nor tail what was going in rural Barbados. Our public health service has/had little or nothing to do with the UK’s NHS or with GP Our public health service, the clinics etc. were an outcome of the Moyne Commission after the 1938 rebellion. Both of my parents, who both died in this 21st century were eye and ear witnesses to the 1938 rebellion.
@ GP
Thanks . I knew of the bus service owned by Mr. Birch.
That history of St. Joseph that you gave is a serious eye opener.
Thanks again.
Keep up the good work.
Peace
“Are we more than a collection of small islands on our knees and with our caps in our hands?”
A sane and rational person could argue that education is wasted on our brothers and sisters who remain anchored to their respective islands. They would have prospered better if they had remained on the fields.
In 1945, on the heels of the release of the Moyne Commission Report, Mr. Henry Douglas Weatherhead introduced a memorandum titled “Medical Services of Barbados and Proposals for Reorganization.”[1][2] In this he concluded that there was a dire need for new legislation governing health care on the island and further recommended that the islands’ entire health care sector be reorganized.
One such initiative was the construction of the Verona Maternity hospital which was completed in 1947 and opened in 1948; a dental clinic was opened at the same location three years later in 1951.
The Barbados Family Planning Association was another organization which arose in the decade post- Moyne. Founded in May 1954
The 1953 Public Health Act presented the framework for which a community clinic initiative was to be introduced.
the Enmore Health Clinic was opened in February 1955. Later, in October of that year Dr. Edgar Cochrane was appointed as Medical Health Officer with Dr. D.O.D Payne as part-time Tuberculosis Officer. Enmore was equipped with a modern X-ray unit with a 5”x 4” camera detachment. In January 1956, a national BCG campaign commenced and this was head-quartered at Enmore.
In addition, a V.D clinic was introduced in September 1955, followed by a chest clinic which was frequented by persons wishing to travel to the United Kingdom.
In 1960, dental and ophthalmic services were introduced at Enmore followed by a mental hygiene clinic in October 1961.
the Six Roads Health Centre was officially opened with Dr. Cochrane visiting weekly from Enmore as consultant.On the 27th of April 1958,
Numerous satellite clinics were established from Six Roads including school- medical and diabetic clinics, home visiting, and clinics for midwifery and health education for schools.
Other clinics were located at Kendal in St. John (from 1st Oct 1959) and at Charles Rowe Bridge From Oct 2nd 1959 which was later called the Glebe Clinic from 1960.Other much utilized clinics were located at Gall Hill in St. John, and at St. Augustine in St. George.
In December 1960, the first District Hospital was opened. Its area of operation was the highly populated Oistins district and at the time provided 20 beds for persons seeking care.
Other District Hospitals
St. Thomas District Hospital,
St. Andrew District Hospital,
St. Phillip District Hospital (Ruby),
St. Michael District Hospital,
St. Lucy District Hospital,
Gordon Cumming District Hospital (Rock hall)
QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL
Opened in 1964 14th November 1964
The St. Joseph Hospital at Villa Maria , Ashton Hall St. Peter was opened on Thursday January 6, 1966
All these things before GP was born, some before he was conceived, or perhaps before his parents met. All before he was an adult.
@William, thank you for that frankness. I can only do it that way … aiming for intellectual honesty. You too are clear on your positions — and agree or disagree you call it as you see it. Excellent. However some of your comrades like @Theo and @Simple Simon in this case too often dissemble and misrepresent another view’s to suit their argument. That is annoyingly distressing.
@Theo, I surely am not asking you to “make that call”. I made it without equivocation. And again respectfully but I unfortunately have to accuse you of awful intellectual dishonesty. Your career experience should offer you a much clearer understanding.
I have long moved pass the debate of whether the survey was professionally done/the ministry officials dishonesty. I asked a few questions of my teacher friends early in this debate and thus fully recognized this was another cluster ‘fess-up’. I expressed that here bluntly. So I refute your damnable inaccuracies that in any of my post I “have glossed over the main points” of this matter.
I have very clearly said that the survey itself was ok but the process was very wrong. So let me stoke this new fire. Thus I would absolutely like to have all biographical data stripped away from the respondents queries to see read-outs of the responses. This is NOT a criminal matter so the ‘fruit of the poison tree’ is absurdly irrelevant here.
You better believe that there is _”something about these children that [I] know that [you pretend not to know]”. And I would like the entire bunch of hypocrites in Bim to know that too.
To know that some kids are still going to school without breakfast; to know that at 11 lots of them know all about using anal sex to avoid pregnancies or to use oral sex for the ‘thrill without the pill’ and lots of other types of sexual practices; that they know of or have been look-outs for neighborhood drug dealers; that their drug dealer parents have threatened people at the school or they use their ‘bad boy’ association to create their own leader-follower dynamics at school. And more and more. This is known STUFF and yet we are here talking this rubbish about trauma with 11 years old in 2022 from answering some questions about sexual mores! Steeeupse.
When I went to school we played cricket all lunch period and at break kicks n bites or whatever … now with the girls present lots of fellas are settled at the coolest nook chatting and smooching .. so if you want to pretend that Bajan or Jamaican 11 years are so traumatized from such a survey then pretend away!
I would stick my neck out and say that the Ministry of Education wanted to get feedback on exactly what was being asked but for some INEXPLICABLE reason the technocrats just simply ‘fessed’ up royally! I would further surmise they deliberately used subterfuge because they expected lots of parents would not want these questions asked of their children… there is no excuse for any of that BS stupidity… but it does NOT invalidate the rationale for the survey!
But we all firmly agree that “These children and their parent have rights. These children should be protected.” … so let’s continue this hyperventilating about who ‘fessed-up’ to score righteousness points rather than address ourselves to handling the CORE issues facing the youth.
SMH!
@PPD “now with the girls present lots of fellas are settled at the coolest nook chatting and smooching.”
I was in a schoolyard 8 times for the term to pick up an 11 year old. When last have you been in a Barbados school yard? I did not see any smooching among the 11 year olds. Maybe you are imagining what you as a boy would have done to an 11 year old girl if you had the opportunity when you were a boy. Maybe 11 year old girls are not as interested in sweaty teenage boys as you imagine?
RE Tom Adams as an upper middle class “town” boy who lived in England for much of his young adulthood FROM ABOUT 19 50 TO 1970 OR SO
HERE WAS A BARBADOS SCHOLAR WITH A SUPERIOR INTELLECT probably UNABLE TO UNDERSTAND NOTHING ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THE UK’s NHS BECAUSE SILLY SIMON SAYS SO —- NOTE HER WORD probably
HERE WAS THE SON OF A MAN WHO WAS ACTIVE IN THE POLITICS OF BARBADOS WHO probably didn’t know head nor tail what was going in rural Barbados.?
HERE WAS THE SON OF A MAN WHO WAS ACTIVE IN THE POLITICS OF BARBADOS WHO probably didn’t know head nor tail what was going in SPEIGHSTOWN WHERE SIR MAURICE BEGUN HIS PUBLIC HEALTH EXPLOITS AT ARLINGTON HOUSE?
Our public health service has/had little or nothing to do with the UK’s NHS or with GP
AND I HAVE SAID SIR MAURICE BYER TAUGHT US ALL ABOUT IT IN BOTH MY SOCIALAND PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE ROTATION AND IN MY COMUNITY HEALTH ROTATIONS
RE Our public health service, the clinics etc. were an outcome of the Moyne Commission after the 1938 rebellion. Both of my parents, who both died in this 21st century were eye and ear witnesses to the 1938 rebellion.
SO WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH THE PRICE OF CHEESE ?
OUR PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE WAS BIRTHED VIA SIR MAURICE BYER SIR KENETH STANDARD AND DR FRANK RAMSEY IN CHILD HEALTH ESPECIALLY WITH HIS WORKIN PROTEIN DEFICIENCY IN BARBADIAN CHILDREN
I HAVE NEVER CLAIMED ANYWHERE TO HAVE ENACTED A PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ANYWHERE ON THE GLOBE
NOW BECAUSE Tom Adams Was an upper middle class “town” boy who lived in England for much of his young adulthood THIS MEANT THAT HE DID NOT SEEK TO SET UP A NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE IN BARBADOS LIKE THE ONE THAT FASCINATED HIM WHEN HE SOJOURNED IN THE UK’ WHEN HE CAME TO POWER IN 1976
THIS IS A CLEAR NON SEQUITUR AND A FALSEHOOD BECAUSE HE DID
THIS ALSO MEANS THAT I DO NOT HAVE A LETTER FROM TOM ADAMS IN RESPONSE TO THE LETTER I WROTE TO HIM IN EARLY I985 TO DISCUSS HIS PROPOSALS FOR A NHS LIKE THE ONE IN THE UK
AS ARTAX HAS CORRECTLY SAID
So, we’re to IGNORE the proof he often presents to substantiate his claims, and join with you to call him a LIAR, because your younger brother had prenatal and baby care at the PUBLIC HEALTH CLINIC in Speightstown, in 1959, and you had a tooth extracted there in 1964.
Remember, I ‘said’ previously that your VIEWS on serious issues are OFTEN INCREDIBLY NAIVE and PAROCHIAL.
In other words, your outlook on life ,DOES NOT INCLUDE anything OUTSIDE your own personal experiences, involving you, family, relatives and friends.
You claimed to have a ‘better command of the English language than anyone on this blog,’ yet, you do not understand there’s a DIFFERENCE between a PUBLIC health system, which is essentially localized, and a NATIONAL health care system.
I have had children or grandchildren in Barbados schools from 1987 to 2011 and again from 2015 to the present. 4 different schools. Children talk. During all that time I have heard of one youngster, a white girl disciplined for sexual activity NOT intercourse at school.
Maybe your experience is deeper and wider and more recent than mine, but I was in a Barbados schoolyard up to Thursday last week.
@GP “HERE WAS A BARBADOS SCHOLAR WITH A SUPERIOR INTELLECT probably UNABLE TO UNDERSTAND NOTHING ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THE UK’s NHS”
Please not that I did NOT write that Tom Adams “probably UNABLE TO UNDERSTAND NOTHING ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THE UK’s NHS”
Go back and read what I wrote.
Upper middle class urban youngsters are all too often shielded/protected by their loving parents from learning how poor and rural people live.
Why do you think that auntie had to launch her “rubbing shoulders” campaign? Because she had experience of the realities of the rural poor?
“I have very clearly said that the survey itself was ok but the process was very wrong.”
And the point that I’m driving home to you that because the process was wrong the fruit of the process is also wrong.. Hand waving and name calling cannot budge me I will try again
Here is a concept to chew on
“The Fruit of the Poisonous Tree doctrine (also known as the Derivative Evidence Doctrine) is a rule in criminal law that makes evidence that was derived from an illegal search, arrest or interrogation inadmissible.”
You are right.. you did not gloss over, you missed the point (completely).
The survey should be trashed (completely).
WILLIAM October 9, 2022 7:19 PM
RE That history of St. Joseph that you gave is a serious eye opener.
Thanks again.
NO PROBLEM
THE SECOND BIRTH OF ST JOSEPH HOSPITAL OCCURED WHEN BRANFORD TAITT DID A GREAT JOB IN RESURRECTING THIS HOSPITAL BY RENOVATION AND RE-EQUIPING IT
I WAS ABLE TO REFER PATIENTS THERE IN 1995 FOR SURGERY
THE HOSPITAL WAS AGAIN CLOSED UNDER THE BLP ADMINISTRATION LED BY NONE OTHER THAN OWEN ARTHUR, WHO WAS A PRODUCT OF THAT AREA.
BRANFORD AND KIETH SYMONDS WERE TWO OF THE BEST MINISTERS OF HEALTH WE HAVE HAD IN RECENT TIMES. THEY WERE INVOLVED AND HAD EXCELLENT IDEAS
BRANFORD WANTED THE WAITING AREAS FOR THE GENERAL PRACTICE CLINICS IN THE POLYCLINICS TO REFLECT THAT OF THAT SEEN IN A PRIVATE CLINIC
HIS ATTEMPT TO THAT AT WARRENS WAS TWARTED BY A CERTAIN EX BLP OPERATIVE SAID TO BE A HEALTH PLANNER, WHO SCREWED UP THE PLAN SUBMITTED FOR WARRENS EVEN THOUGHT IT WAS FAVOURABLY LOOKED UPON AND APPROVED BY ETHERIDGE – THE MAN WHO LOOKED OVER SUCH THINGS.
THE PLAN WAS SET UP BASED ON THE IDEA THAT IF YOU PUT THE CONSULTING ROOMS TO FAR FROM THE WAITING AREA, A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME WOULD BE LOSS, BETWEEN THE TIME THE PATIENT TRAVERSED BETWEEN THESE TWO POINTS
NOTE THAT THIS PLAN WAS SET UP AROUND THE TIME OF THE RIOTS AND THE MOYNE COMMISSION.
PLEASE PARDON MY SARCASM TOO.
THERE IS SO MUCH TO TELL
BUT LOOK UP THE ROLE OF SIR KENNETH STANDARD ON LINE AND HIS INFLUENCE ON PUBLIC HEALTH IN BIM BETWEEN 1955 & 1961, TO UNDERSTAND A LOT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIVITY THAT OCCURED THEN
NOTE THJAT PUBLIC HEALTH CLINICS DID NOT HAVE FAMILY /GENERAL PRACTICE CLINICS AND THAT PUBLIC HEALTH IS ONLY ONE SEGMENT IN THE NATIONAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM OF ANY COUNTRY
In 1966 one of the 13 year old girls at our school became pregnant. Then and now I saw it as rape although for a brief period she thought the 19 year old who impregnated her was her boyfriend. Even so she was unable to raise the child and the young man and his family took custody. The girl’s parents had been part of the Windrush generation and she was a left behind child, and yet so many of the overseas Bajans love to cuss those of us who chose to stay on the rock even while we cook, wash and clean for their children. One of my neighbors, born in 1937 told me that she became pregnant at 15 even while going to a good school, She shivered when she told me that she was unable to raise the child. The father’s family took custody. She saw it as rape, I saw it as rape. Our school children who are mostly younger than 16 need sex education but they do not need adults suggesting to them that sex below the age of 16 is anything but bad, bad thing.
Sex before the age of 16 is BAD.
If I had my way I would raise the age of consent to 18 which is the legal age for most other things. so if a young woman becomes pregnant she can find work, seek out her own medical care and provide for her child.
Having the age of consent at a6 only provides an opening for insecure men who feel incompetent to have consensual sex with adult women.
Sex before the age of 16 is BAD.
733 children
1-man protest
Now you can understand how the IDB/whoever thought they would get away with denying the children/parent their rights.
Now you can understand HOW the Min of Ed can force principals and teachers out of the classroom when children are in the classroom.
Now you can understand why the Min of Ed felt there was no need to inform parents or that parental approval was necessary.
Previously, I said there were two balls on the island and the owner was a woman. Guess, I was wrong, there are double my estimate.
RE In December 1960, the first District Hospital was opened. Its area of operation was the highly populated Oistins district and at the time provided 20 beds for persons seeking care.
THIS IS BULL SHIT
THE ST MICHAEL District Hospital was opened. BEFORE THIS BECAUSE IT ACTED AS A HURRICANE SHELTER IN 1955 FOR HURICANE JANET .
WONDER HOW I KNOW DAT NEH?
ARTAX
RE “I am no health expert,” either. And, I don’t know anything about “the surrounding areas from Bay Land all the way up to Brittons Hill; Dayrells Road etc.”
I LIVED IN THE BAYLAND AND THEN AT THE TOP OF ROUTE 15 FOR THE FIRST 20 YEARS OF MY LIFE
RE I believe there is a significant DIFFERENCE between a PUBLIC HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, and a NATIONAL HEALTH CARE system.
NB: THERE IS INDEED a significant DIFFERENCE between a PUBLIC HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, and a NATIONAL HEALTH CARE system.
NB. PUBLIC HEALTH CARE WAS DESIGNED MORE FOR PREVENTATIVE COMMUNITY MEDICNE LIKE STD’S MATERNAL& CHILD HEALTH
RE Perhaps a better term would be a national health care POLICY. I AGREE
A NATIONAL HEALTH CARE INVOLVES PRIVATE HEALTH CARE PROVISION, INSURANCE ETC ALONG WITH PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES AND PUBLIC HEALTH. PUBLIC HEALTH IS A MEDICAL SPECIALTY
RE I’m sure those community clinics were NOT FULLY EQUIPPED to provide a wide range of health care services that polyclinics are currently able to provide.
YOU ARE INDEED CORRECT SIR
I believe a national health care system would’ve been responsible for the establishment of polyclinics, which perhaps replaced those community clinics over a period of time.
INDEED THESE WERE BEGINNING TO BE ESTABLISHED AROUND 1981 OR SO
For example, and Dr. GP could correct me if I’m wrong, but, I believe the Maurice Byer Polyclinic replaced the Speightstown community clinic. INDEED. AND IT IS POORLY SITED DESPITE THE GIVEN ADVICE
I think you have separate public clinics from national health care services..INDEED I DID IN CLEAR PERFECT ENGLISH
Cuhdear BajanOctober 9, 2022 7:17 PM
Both of my parents, who both died in this 21st century were eye and ear witnesses to the 1938 rebellion.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I never knew we had a rebellion a year after the 1937 riots.
You taught me something new about Barbadian history.
Something like this galls me.
” I asked a few questions of my teacher friends early in this debate and thus fully recognized this was another cluster ‘fess-up’. ”
There is a range of opinions on this issue, but some small select group has the correct answer. Sorry dude, I will do my thinking for myself.
Look how you fools hijacked the topic about clinics as if it matters.
TheOGazertsOctober 9, 2022 9:19 PM
Here is a concept to chew on
“The Fruit of the Poisonous Tree doctrine (also known as the Derivative Evidence Doctrine) is a rule in criminal law that makes evidence that was derived from an illegal search, arrest or interrogation inadmissible.”
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Trump should be cool following the raid on his house using an unspecific search warrant!!
THIS IS BU LOGIC
IN 1950 WATSON AND CRICK ARE SAID TO HAVE DESCRIBED THE STRUCTURE OF DNA
I WAS NOT BORN THEN
SO ANYTHING I SAY OR TEACH ABOUT DNA IS INCORRECT
Both of SIMPLE SIMON’S parents, who both died in this 21st century were eye and ear witnesses to the 1938 rebellion,
HENCE HER OPINION ABOUT BY BEING TAUGHT ABOUT THE ORIGIN OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM OF BARBADOS AS TAUGHT TO ME BY DR BYER IS INCORRECT..
TOM ADAMS WAS A MIDDLE CLASS BOY
THEREFORE AFTER LIVING IN THE UK FOR ABOUT 19 YEARS HE PROBABLY KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT THE UK NHS
TOM ADAMS WAS A MIDDLE CLASS BOY
THEREFORE IT WOULD NEVER OCCUR TO HIM TO DEVELOP A NHS FOR BDOS LIKE THE UK NHS
Hants
536 comments.
It would be good if a lawyer would step forward and try to frame the discussion in terms of the rights of parents and children; the action of the teachers and principals in terms of neglect and dereliction of duty; and if instructions from the Min of Ed are in agreement with the laws of Barbados.
This is a topic where only the surface has been scratched. Some would like to wrap this in a nice tidy package and state “it is a nothing burger”. I am no lawyer, but I know a violation of rights and an abuse of authority when I see them.
@John
🙂
I try not to do Trump. Sometimes I fail.
I try not to do Biden. Never failed.
I Try not to do Ukraine
I try not to do the hallucinogenic posts
Got me a meat an potato issue right here.
Going
https://barbadostoday.bb/2022/10/09/anglican-church-greatly-concerned-about-education-ministrys-survey-controversy/
It is a rehash of what was said here but comes from the church.
From BT
Maxwell expressed the Anglican Church’s deep concern about the situation, “which involves a very important demographic within our society,” adding that it should be constructively addressed “to ensure that there is never a repeat of an incident of this nature”.
“Legally, ethically and practically, parents or guardians should have been informed and consent sought so that families would have had the choice to opt out of such an exercise,” he said.
“This is particularly important, because in an age of data privacy and based on what has been reported so far, the information gleaned from those students seems deeply personal and sensitive and could have potentially been used against them.”
Maxwell said the following questions need to be raised and addressed:
According to Maxwell, the matter goes beyond an issue of the questions being offensive, “and may very well be described as an act of abuse and a wider agenda being pursued”.
—x—
Have a great night y’all.
Fight for your rights.
@Theo, I submit to your more assertive remark that I “missed the point (completely).” Some come here to discuss the issues honestly some to prance and posture. Smartly continue doing you … as indeed myself and all others will!
And that “Something like this [would] gall [you].” is hilariously insightful. The fact that I sought first hand knowledge of the issue does not take away from anyone’s opinion or make mine right. SMH!!! It merely provides me with more informed analysis. What is so difficult to grasp or understand about that. Don’t you all do that daily when you refer to what someone in BT or the Nation or Times said!
@SimpleSimon, I can only SMH in amusement at some of your posts. Pray tell how your end of day pickup would equate to my remark of kids not being as active during lunch or break and rather being “settled at the coolest nook chatting and smooching.” And why would you so ridiculously take that ‘literally’ that the boy and girl relaxing together must be first formers necessarily. Are you suggesting by your remarks that only by DOING these adolescents can KNOW of sexual issues!
Shocking and amusing!!!
That both of you have adopted such very strange practices in discussing this issue is amusing … or as @William said (not about either of you, let me hastily add) is gross “intellectual dishonesty.”
BTW @Simple what’s the point of interrogating the accomplished practioner in his area of competency??? That fact the man has been arrogant and condescending to you, myself and many others here does not DENY his knowledge or what he has done. Your historical journey of health clinics etc. was interesting but it did not refute the man’s own historical narrative or the validity of his claims.
As the Blogmaster says often: play the ball, not the man.
Enough for the day. Peace out.
My eldest nephew was born at St. Joseph in 1982.
From what I remember it was in what would once have been Ashton Hall plantation yard.
Very peaceful setting.
@ JohnFellow, please don’t start here with your own ridicule and mocking re “Trump should be cool following the raid on his house using an unspecific search warrant!!
That’s a lark .. a rather lame one too!
Anyhow … no more trumpet BS for now. There will be time enough for that.
Came across these infant mortality rates for Barbados from 1907-1937, unbelievably high, as high as 416/1000 in 1912.
https://imgur.com/QkdaQJj
By 1960 it had fallen to 70/1000
Today it is 11/1000
Pretty interesting to see what happened between 1938 and 1970 when compared with Jamaica and Trinidad.
Both of those islands had far larger economies than did Barbados.
In 1938 we had almost double the Infant mortality of Jamaica and Trinidad.
https://imgur.com/VBluEpe
This is a good link.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/25613076#metadata_info_tab_contents
Better reporting in Bim would be the first blush interpretation. There is no other practical answer as you clearly have already surmised.
And the point of this historical reference is…!
Well actually better reporting and smaller areas to cover. Beyond large economy in $$ and production etc they obviously also have much larger populations and no better medical care as far as one knows … or are you suggesting that someone had already patented an excellent health care service across Jamaica and TnT but not Bim!🤣
Ok…enough larking for the day. End.
de pedantic DribblerOctober 9, 2022 10:53 PM
Better reporting in Bim would be the first blush interpretation. There is no other practical answer as you clearly have already surmised.
And the point of this historical reference is…!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The reference is the source of the infant mortality data.
I think the reason why infant mortality in Barbados was so much higher was more than likely access to safe drinking water. Unlike Barbados, there are significant rivers in Jamaica and Trinidad.
I know from my discussions with Sir Maurice Byer who would have been in public health probably from the 1940’s that water was key to solving the high infant mortality. In addition, sugar was in demand during and after WWII so our economy produced the $$$ to invest in public health services.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_rivers_of_Jamaica
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_rivers_of_Trinidad_and_Tobago
It was the same colonial operation that dealt with health albeit on a far larger scale in Jamaica and Trinidad, so I doubt the difference was due to reporting.
Their economies would have also been booming at the time ours boomed.
Not certain what strange practices I adopted. On intellectual dishonesty, let’s agree to diSagree. If that makes you intellectually honest and makes me dishonest … such is life
Typo Monday…
This no tempest in a teapot. This is a gross violation of the rights of citizens of Barbados.
“You sound like the idiot young boy who has done nothing to prove himself and has no track record except being a BLP stool pigeon and speaking on a BLP platform when he was 13 who partisan fools want to act as he is credible when all he is merely an empty vessel and parrot.”
Poor you!
Khaleel Kothdiwala isn’t and would not be taking my position on this topic. He is a politician, I am not. We can’t properly reform our education system without the type of data and useful information that would result from the questions posed. I would love to see the responses based on primary school, secondary school, parents’ level of education/profession, and other social and economic data. Our problem is that we are too set in our ways when it comes to certain topics. All of you know the few questions you really find objectionable. Cuss muh!
@Enuff
“We can’t properly reform our education system without the type of data and useful information that would result from the questions posed”
I suspect your unmitigated support for party, may lead you down the wrong path.
Read the other thread by Niel Harper to appreciate the legal issues around data collection.
The issue is not research, nor that it can be beneficial, but HOW it was done. It was illegal.
@Enuff that is incredible PR spin. Rational people accept that surveys like this are necessary … but this was absolutely not fit for purpose as soon as the subterfuge was done.
And as clearly noted it is indeed illegal.
So capture the info surely but let your admin seek proper approval of all parents who wish to have their children participate… anything else is unacceptable.
PR spin? For whom? Both of you clearly have not followed all my posts. Y’all missed where I stated my disagreement with the process. I support the questions for children at 11.
@Enuff
LOL…you support fooping, but not on a public beach.
The content, or appropriateness, of the questions for an 11yo is beyond my training. Yet ANY QUESTION in the manner in which the ‘test’ was conducted is illegal. The IADB must know better?
NO
Me and public beach fooping? I say foop down the beach. No disagreement between us on the execution.
@Enuff October 10, 2022 10:14 AM “We can’t properly reform our education system without the type of data and useful information that would result from the questions posed.
My response: If the Ministry of Education just needed data to use in the education reform exercises why were the children asked to include their full names, dates of birth and school addresses?
@Enuff October 10, 2022 10:14 AM “I would love to see the responses based on primary school, secondary school, parents’ level of education/profession, and other social and economic data.”
My response: We would all love to see Enuff’s responses to the same questions based on primary school, secondary school, parents’ level of education/profession, and other social and economic data
@Enuff October 10, 2022 10:14 AM “Our problem is that we are too set in our ways when it comes to certain topics.”
My response: Your problem is that you are too set in your ways when it comes to certain topics, because I would bet my first born son that you are not man Enuff to answer this question for the BU people, and attach your real name, date of birth and place of work to your answer
DO YOU SEE AND HEAR THINGS THAT OTHER PEOPLE DO NOT SEE OR HEAR???
OK man up and publicly answer the question. Add your real names. Your date of birth and the address of your workplace [or home] to the answer.
Days ago I asked PPD the same question and he has not yet grown balls enough to answer that question in public either.
And yet we expect 10 and 11 year olds to do what we adults do not have the courage to do?
Do you have balls enough to answer the question or have you suddenly become impotent?
I am also asking this question of all 30 members of our Parliament, and especially of our Cabinet members.
DO YOU SEE AND HEAR THINGS THAT OTHER PEOPLE DO NOT SEE OR HEAR???
Cuhdear BajanOctober 10, 2022 8:45 PM
DO YOU SEE AND HEAR THINGS THAT OTHER PEOPLE DO NOT SEE OR HEAR???
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Unequivocally yes.
I constantly see things that people other people do not see every time I solve a problem no one else can solve.
I hear the voice of my conscience often telling me I am doing wrong.
I suspect most people are like me.
I think that our children will be just fine, they are as tough as nails.
It is we adults who have the problem.
Our problem stems from the fact that we left our children to the wiles of the world because we were too busy to care.
We did not listen to the voices of our consciences, and they have now convicted us.
We did not see what was before us and led our children into the morass.
Do you know that the Closed Brethren have had their own school since the early 1990’s?
They saw the evil and heard the voices of their consciences and acted to suit.
So, what are we going to do?
Look at what has happened in America as the evil is being confronted first by a few adults who saw things and heard voices no one else saw or heard.
Attention needs to be paid to the people who see and hear things long before others.
One solution may be homeschooling.
Here we rely mostly on the Government so we submit our students to the 11+ and hope our child will get into better schools.
Like Queens College!!
Another opinion!!
The solution is in the hands of the parents, not the Minister of Education, not the IDB, not the hierarchy, not the left wing nutjobs who want to indoctrinate our children.
Unfortunately, the problem is in their hands too!!
Many are both blind and deaf so miss the things they should be seeing and hearing.
@John
“One solution may be homeschooling.”
Here, where the Min of Ed and its subordinates show disrespect for both children, parents and their rights, this suggestion should be seriously considered.
A word to the wise…
When there is a major failure, talking to those who may have been a part of the screw-ups can provide misleading information.
It is clear that the model of a ‘strongman’ supported by ‘talking heads’, figureheads and sycophants is not working for Barbados.
Mia needs to move away from the chorus of yes men and include those who can say ‘No’. Much of what is going wrong in our beloved nation can be prevented if subjected to seldom a simple smell test and applying a little common sense.
If a stranger came to your church and wanted access to your children and stated that you, the pastor and church staff should all be absent then he/she would be met with a ‘Hell No’.
Your gut instincts and common sense would warn you that he/she is up to no good.
That is why it puzzles me that the above scenario would have been accepted by a Ministry and it subordinates.
We have long past the point where suggestions can be considered as conspiracy theories. We have long entered the realm of the absurd, though we pretend otherwise. Those in charge fail and fail again and rely on ‘bluffers’ and apologists to muddy the waters and confuse the issue.
Only money can turn 20/20 vision into blindness; only money can make ignorance seem like common sense. Perhaps a police investigation into the finances of these ‘talking heads’ would show unusual deposits into their accounts. The time for apologies and redo(s) are over. Criminal investigations must become a routine part of the fix.
Let us start by assuming the very worst.
Let us forget and abandon the word mistake.
Let us admit that we lost our innocence a long time ago. Everything is one big scam.
Our reality is the conspiracy theory. Face it.
—x—
Gotta run.
Have a great day y’all.
In future, I will try my utmost to focus on the positive.
@TheOGazerts
Brasstacks .Auntie Sandy is speaking right now. Sweeeet!
How many students from this school with 200 + students do you think were surveyed or tested?
http://www.muslimpopulation.com/America/Barbados/Barbados%20Al-Falah%20Muslim%20School.php
What chance do you think the Ministry of Education or the IDB or Code.org will have of ever testing these children?
The problem is the ideology that has insinuated itself into education.
Education is big bucks and big bucks always attracts the worst sorts.
A healthy quota of Momma Bears should be on any school board.
@John
You have approached this from a fresh and different angle. Your comments are very thought provoking and point to a different avenues that are open to parents.
Hoping you can keep it above ground… No darting down🐰/🐇 holes.
The problem is that parents have been lax and allowed persons “custody” of their children who really should not have been granted that “custody”.
Parents need to take charge and need to know everything about every adult who is going to be a “custodian” for their children.
Maybe they are too busy, but they need to have done far greater “due diligence” of the bona fides of those to whom they have entrusted the care of their children.
Just watch what is going on in the US as parents assert their control of a school system gone awry.
The buck ultimately stops at the parents.
Check California!!
How many of our politicians actually have children?
Do we have any Momma Bears in the House of Assembly?
@John October 11, 2022 2:06 PM “How many of our politicians actually have children?”
And of those that do, how many are good parents?
Some people do not want to be bothered with children because as my mother used to say small children are pissy and snotty and shitty and when your children are small sometimes even your own husband does not like you very much because you too small of piss and shit and vomit and sweat and blood.
Child rearing is not for the faint of heart.
How many politicians are brave hearts?
@John “Here we rely mostly on the Government.”
No John. This is where even a bright fella like you gets it wrong.
This is where politicians get it wrong.
This is where officials get it wrong.
We do not rely of the government.
The government relies on us the taxpayers.
If we don’t pay the salaries of the politicians and the officials they cannot pay their bills.
They work for us. We PAY them.
We the parents pay the bills for public education.
We the taxpayers pay the Minister of Education.
We the taxpayers pay the Chief Education Officer.
We the taxpayers pay the Prime Minister.
We don’t want to pay for all of that and then have to pay for private schooling too.
Because you know if we pay for private schooling we won’t get a refund of the taxes which we have paid towards public education.
Which is why my children went to public schools from nursery to post graduate.
I ABSOLUTELY REFUSE to pay TWICE for anything.
This is what we need around here.
Cuhdear BajanOctober 11, 2022 3:46 PM
@John “Here we rely mostly on the Government.”
No John. This is where even a bright fella like you gets it wrong.
This is where politicians get it wrong.
This is where officials get it wrong.
We do not rely of the government.
The government relies on us the taxpayers.
If we don’t pay the salaries of the politicians and the officials they cannot pay their bills.
They work for us. We PAY them.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
You just don’t get it.
We live in a lawless society and while what you say is theoretically correct, it bears no relation to reality.
… if you doubt me who is paying the salaries of the politicians in an unconstitutional parliament?
It isn’t actually the taxpayer.
They are being funded by monies borrowed in our names and those of our children, born and unborn.
That’s the cruelest cut of all.
@JohnFellow, re “This is what we need around here.” … Oh!
Political yardfowlism and opportunism is pervasive in Bim and regionally so really not clear where Ms Gabbard shines a light
Somehow, I felt this was a good place for this story. Why an age of 25? Why not 45 and a letter from the Min of Ed?
Have they become gods?
Can they ignore parents and just make-up arbitrary rules?
Why 25 and not 26 or 24 or 23 …?
https://barbadostoday.bb/2022/10/18/fallout-from-enforcement-of-heavy-goods-licence-regulation/
Well, I was here thinking of what to do today and then I saw this story
https://barbadostoday.bb/2022/10/18/wi-batting-fragility-exposed-yet-again/
I hope there’s not an age limit but I want to tryout for WI cricket. It seems as if batting, bowling and fielding are not requirements to be selected.
Most importantly, I have a passport, I now have the time and I am be hired for cheap (a light eater, a cheap hotel and next to minimum wages).
Pay attention to any new names in WI cricket. Not TheOGazerts, that is not my name.
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https://barbadostoday.bb/2023/04/25/under-pressure/
It is good to see that the Min of Ed is understanding the role of teachers in the classroom. They are not fit to monitor survey or tests given to our children but are up to the task of monitoring what our children eat.
From BT
“In terms of the teachers’ duties, of course it will be something else to monitor but it is all part of what teachers are required to do. Teachers are required to make sure that the children are in environments that are socially, emotionally and physically safe. With regards to the school nutrition policy that would ensure that the children are eating healthily, that is part of safety as well. So I know that some teachers may be skeptical or concerned about that but it’s just part of their duty.”
Archer-Bradshaw added that the overall responsibility of improving children’s diet was not that of teachers alone but parents as well.
**Some are able to make the leap but I cannot do so. Unless teachers are looking in lunchboxes for guns and knives I do not see how a student having two hamburgers is a question of safety. This may introduce further conflict between teachers and some parents.