Submitted by Observing
On a political platform in 2018 the then leader of opposition announced that “Common Entrance must go!” The crowd cheered.
For three years the appointed Minister pronounced ad infinitum that “Common Entrance must go!” The masses bellowed.
For the last two years this Minister (when she actually speaks) joined the choir to lustily sing that “Common Entrance must go!” The audience applauded.
And of course the 66 year old once retired Director of Reform said emphatically and conclusively in the House of Parliament that the new system would be in place by September 2022 and “Common Entrance must go!” The pundits thumped their desks.
Now here we are.
- Reimagine is the new buzzword
- Collaboration and shared ideas are the new mirrors
- Colonial mindset is the new smoke.
If the past 5 years has shown anything it’s that this government (like others in the past) aren’t serious about real, effective impactful, “ground up” education reform.
An August 2022 leaked document making the wrongs also proves if true, that while we wax poetically about what needs to be done, the core foundations of classism, elitisim, public perception, haves and have nots will remain while those with the “power” remain blind to the REAL problems facing schools and education and by extension our society that need addressing.
To be honest, it is a tough task. When you look back at EDUTECH which is at best a partial failure, you would understand why this “transformation” and “reimagining” should cause all of us to sit up and ask some pertinent questions.
- Does this process really make “all schools equal?”
- Are the challenges faced by families of 3-9 years old being addressed?
- Are the developmental, social, learning, behavioural and psychological difficulties among toddlers and pre-teens being addressed?
- Is a 4 hour exam really to blame for societal decay, family decline and socio-behaviuoral confusion in the country?
- Can people really “come along” with you if they don’t have a clue what’s happening?
- Are we addressing the REAL needs of the country at this time or the real WANTS of a few?
- Did EDUTECH prepare us for the 21st century far less a pandemic? Will this new “reimagining” do it?
- Are the thinkers, leaders, practitioners, researchers, parents and men on the street fully on board, fully involved and fully aware?
- Is this just another attempt to shape a legacy and score political points?
Whatever the answers, it is pellucidly clear to a blind man on a trotting horse that the whip was snapped this week with all schools closed and teachers/principals called to “urgent” last-minute meetings to discuss an “idea” first mooted 5 years ago, sent to Cabinet since last year and declared a fait accompli despite having no real roadmap or plan. Those who know know.
The skeleton has no meat.
The pond has no water.
The emperor has no clothes.
If there is one thing education should never do, is to raise mindless robots who do not think critically. I pray that those of us wo are not robots and even those who are (with a little AI help), will ask the relevant questions, share the pertinent thoughts and repeatedly confront and call to account those who are seeking to dismantle a system and affect at least 3-4 generations to come. My grandchildren and yours are the ones who will feel it most.
The road to hell is paved with good intentions (Saint Bernard of Clairvaux)
Maybe if the “intentions” were good but they are not, never will be…
Sad when the real message being sent is to “reimagine” yourself as Slaves so that sick evil fantasies can be fulfilled..
Judging from my personal and very recent situation, those who are mentally grounded must send their own message…
You are no one’s Slaves or property..
It’s high time political RATS and traitors know their place as paid SERVANTS who TIEF and sellout… and NOT masters of the people.
Regardless of their lengthy criminal past and centuries of extremely corrupt and pukeworthy VILE family history they are NOT ENTITLED to take liberties with African lives..
What they are getting now is nothing more than what they deserve for INSERTING THEIR STINKING SELVES in my personal, private, confidential family history for which they were not granted any persmission by me or anyone else and will never escape this lack of respect they dished out completely based on wickedness, covetness and hate…the most dangerous criminal pretending to be a leader.
Hope that also sends the intended message to those backward folliwers and supporters trained and socialized by political demons to maliciously insert themselves in each other’s personal lives..
The beast creature will be made a prime example…i suggest those who see the threat and the dangers clearly ahead get ready to do same…they dont care about you, only their mission to destroy you….for personal gain.
Word of advice to pretensive misleaders…they may as well SHUT DOWN that Slave Empire they STOLE the people’s and everyone else’s BILLIONS to build…
OR
Weeee will shut it down for them and it wont be pretty..your END is very swiftly approaching…DO NOT make it any harder than it needs to be…
Well put ! My first question: What constitutes or will constitute Academies of Excellence.
Any education reform policy that does not have primary school education as its focal point is basically destined to either failure and or confusion.
This debate goes back to the 70s. That was about a decade after the removal of fees to enter the “ prestigious “ public grammar schools.
And fifty years later, we are still failing to comprehensively reform education.
Debate about education of necessity must be continuing. It is obviously informed by national imperatives/ vision whatever you want to call it. Post independence there should be a sufficient body of work to be evidence based in our deliberations in the country.
Why is it reasonable @Skinner to so broadly assert that “We’re still holding on, as you correctly stated, and hoarding all the discarded garbage of the colonial period”?
What garbage have we held that is corrupting and further enslaving us ?? … that’s been easily voiced for many years but PRACTICALLY what are those pieces of garbage!
I get it that the Common Entrance is a major issue for many but in practical terms there must be a rational way to move children from primary to the next stage … so unless you used well organized zoning or a systematic and continuous diagnostic/testing process such an exam was needed.
Obviously there is no true value in REFORM if it’s merely re-labelling with no deep structural changes but this is not an easy process as evidenced by the pain of many nations with significantly greater resources than us …
We all know and recognize that the process must start with the kindergarteners and then primary schoolers … yes, yes … but we also must accept that it’s untenable to have very young girls with NO support system having children with their rude-boy, undisciplined males or having indifferent adult men with multiple ‘baby mothers’ and thus these children are thrust into an educational system with no proper support … it can’t work!!! … And DOES NOT anywhere!
So as the author noted when the PM ridiculously “snapped [her whip] this week” and in the midst of exams prep and other such angst for both kids and parents she directed her PhD trained Chief Ed Officer to shut down schools on a rolling basis to “discuss an ‘idea'” which they have been jawing about for all those years … we MUST realize the true BS of this reform process. SMH!!!
We have been well educated despite and inspite of the broken systems … that’s crystally clear by the divergent ‘schools of thought’ expressed on these pages for many years now.
Folks who do well at HC or QC or St. Michael’s etc and go on to be quite successful in life will so continue whether they are zoned to some Academy of Excellence or their neighborhood school … the problem will be that those who do much less well at schools historically with much lower CE intake grades will STILL do just as poorly UNLESS there is structural change to allow focused work for the ‘slower’ learners and those with home life dysfunction.
You do NOT retard excellence by criticizing top achievement and you certainly cannot improve a slower learner or a child with ability but with limited home support by simply dismantling the top tier schools system … we all learn differently and that can’t simply be changed because Mia say so!
So @Observing our educational system has never raised “mindless robots who do not think critically”. No sir.
Our best robots think very critically and very clearly: ‘get the job and then do whatever is directed by the boss-man or boss-lady that is necessary to succeed’. That was firmly established under Barrow where all roads led to his desk … and it continued apace under all the others to one degree or other. Now it’s back in FULL FORCE.
@Dee Word
Why do we conclude that the 11+ is the catalyst for reform of the education system? The experts are split on it, why are laypeople certain?
@David, of course “Post independence there [is] a sufficient body of work to be evidence based in our deliberations in the country.”
Frankly the issue is not the knowledge of what is needed brother… it’s partially the will, political inertia and drastic changes in the society.
I will cite one thing … recall when the BCC was established that one of the key policy plans was there would be no need to have 6th forms at several other schools.
Now, I am not attempting to rehash that debate because whether one agreed with that policy or not, there was a very detailed concept of how we were going to train our youth with Associate Degree and other programs at BCC. But voila… what has since transpired … are there not now MORE 6th form schools… so clearly much changed to modify that previously set policy plan.
Just a summary comment to say that as educational management changes ideas will be revamped and sometimes rescinded.
I gone.
@Dee Word
Is it the will or the fact our technocrats are not respected for the value they bring to the table. Our politicians are left to rule the roost.
Ah @David of course “the 11+ is the catalyst for reform of the education system” … or if you prefer one of them .. likely a major one.
The fact that experts are split on it is understandable … because as I noted there MUST be some way to move your students from one stage to the next.
I am one of those who see it as a practical guide post (with changes) … no where in life will you NOT be tested … and frankly the earlier you start that process of understanding that you will be competing then obviously the better for you!
Of course, at 11, HOW you are guided to match your skills against others has to be carefully managed particularly when as noted there can be significant home dysfunction.
I know a few folks who did poorly at CE and as adults are – in a word – veritable forces of nature in their current sphere of life. So yes, the CE as a marker can be a problem but that doesn’t mean it’s useless or destructive to our youth! It surely can be modified to ensure that it isn’t!
And BTW lay-people are not certain … they are responding to the prevailing sentiments primarily driven by political speak which says that it will be abolished!!!
@Dee Word
Let the debate continue…not to forget another – streaming mix abilities.
At the end of the day we have to make changes if we align with national performance.
Skinner
Reform! How can it be possible to reform a slave system?
Where in the world has that been achieved, “comprehensively”?
Ignorance is a living and breathing thing, those who claimed they passed the Slave test, have no clue many of them, their parents PAID BRIBES for outcomes and other people’s children were displaced and DISEMPOWERED for many to crow they went to HC, Cormere or some other Slave schoo…
.many frauds in the parliaments Judicary and other areas are HIDING THAT FACT….of THEIR history…i know personally..why do you think so many of them are corrupt failures, they have no natural abilities, no creativity and certainly no original thought.
Those they MALICIOUSLY FAILED… to run their nepotism have done much better in life, while the public faces of the boasters are known as corrupt, thieves, liars ..with no morals, ethics, integrity or scruples.
William knows that the 11 plus Slave test never really took anyone anywhere..
they should thank their ancestral intelligence instead but too many are unaware and have no ability to think at that level anyway…what’s the saying again ” they are only miseducated to function in it, but not ask any questions.” or gain the mental power to analyze it..
. .those are the Slaves who brag and boast the most about passing a Slave test..anytime Slave minds tell you how good something is, run like hell in the opposite direction, put hundreds of miles between you and them ..
“Any education reform policy that does not have primary school education as its focal point is basically destined to either failure and or confusion.”
Most definitely, the destruction of the Black, very young and easily molded to pursue the negative mind, in the last 60 plus years..started in those poisonous primary schools..
..a pipeline for mental enslavement..a sorting factory…managed by black criminals with dangerous, demoralizing, disempowering nepotistic agendas..
…DESTROY THAT and it will be a NEW DAWN for EVERY INCOMING.generation.
Skinner
This socalled reform has only been how others have been, and will be, like how monarchy will be reformed – republic with knighthoods🤔
According to the chatter in the BU echochamber
Bajan Education is par excellence
Bajans are educated fools
Bajans are the best in the world – world class experts
But there are 1,000s of 1,000s of world class experts
Skinner
We’ve recently seen here one, a slave, who considers himself as the creme de la creme arguing that the CXC is similar but not the same as GCE or Chambridge or some shiiite.
The insinuation that the White peoples’ certs which he got 50 years ago are somehow better.
Can such minds be reformed by rote? We doubt it. As this poison lives within all the systems around us.
And those who pretend to be so interested have otherwise left no doubt that their central aim is tinkering, not reform, not a radical transformation.
We speak specifically about Mia Mottley.
Gotta keep the Slave Empire alive and well, sustained and maintained with taxpayers, pensioners and other people’s stolen money..
As usual, NO RESPECT for anyone but their self absorbed criminal wants and desires.
Time for the TEK DOWN.. dig them out of their slave empire nest.
@ Pacha, WURA
What really is the purpose of education reform if it’s main focus is to simply label institutions or rename those which already exists.
We’re still holding on, as you correctly stated, and hoarding all the discarded garbage of the colonial period.
That got all kinda bribes in it….a complete overhaul of the Slave education system for better, has none..
Those are the “where is my cut” brigade…like one of their members they buried last year.
Expect no progress, no upward mobility, no wealth generation for the majority population unless you SHED these dangerous wannabe elite, wannabe nobility, wannabe pedigree, wannabe imperalist traitor frauds in black face….that not even their Empire employers can trust with their information or money…who themselves also became victim to their greed and treachery.
That tells the existent of the whole dilemma.
Yes William…that’s what the traitors did, then their little anonymous imps and pimps want to tell me when and how to use MY private and confidential information and history that they ALL illegally misused and abused without my permission or knowledge for half century..and then they SOLD IT…yes they did…..now they dont want to hear about that human rights crime they committed against me and my children.
..the scum of the earth, got nerve.
They are the ones have to hide their evil history, hide their slave master ancestors out of shame, while doing same..
….i have no such problem.
..but i will expose these criminal RATS every day of their traitor lives.
Just bear in mind that Arab enslavement of Africans lasted over 2,000 years…
..traitors in black face have no problem selling you and yours into slavery for another 10 thousand years to appease their greed, they have sold out throughout milennia…they are not about to stop now…they call their filthy Judas presence politicians and lawyers now ..and care not what you, you, or me thinks..
and then they SOLD IT…yes they did…
Before i could even find out about my private and confidential history, and extended familial connections, a mere 2 months ago, they sold it.
….after all that abuse and attempts on my life..they made sure THEY, not me, benefitted financially from what is NOT THEIRS to have in their criminal posession…..information THEY STOLE..
If yall dont act now…you wont stand a chance..neither will your current and future generations…. you notice they have no fear of anyone and believe themselves entitled to take liberties…that says everything..
10 out of 23 post. SMFH!
RE We’ve recently seen here one, a slave, who considers himself as the creme de la creme arguing that the CXC is similar but not the same as GCE or Chambridge or some shiiite.
The insinuation that the White peoples’ certs which he got 50 years ago are somehow better.
BEING ACTUALLY creme de la creme I ACTUALLY SAID IN PERFECT ENGLISH THAT CXC WAS SUPERIOR TO THE GCE
GO BACK AND READ WHAT I SAID AND USE IN YOUR ATTEMPT IN COMPREHENSION THE PRINCIPLE TAUGHT IN THE WEST INDIAN READERS USED IN THE 5O’S AND 6O’S
THAT DAN IS THE MAN IN THE VAN
USING THAT SIMPLE FORMULA THE LOWEST I EVER CAME IN ENGLISH THROUGHOUT MY SCHOOL DAYS WAS FIRST!
IT SEEMS THAT THIS DUMMY IS SAYING AS WE USED TO SAY WHEN SMASHING BACK A PATHETIC OFFERING IN TABLE TENNIS “YOU PITCHING MAN”
DID LIKKLE BOY PACHASHIT CAN NOT EVEN READ A SIMPLE PIECE OF PROSE AND UNDERSTAND IT
HILARIOUS
Yes, we concede!
Having only glanced at the first two or three lines then
And just given a little longer glance.
Forgive us, for it’s general difficult to give you more than a glance. For even ideas can be ugly.
But yes, yuh right as Shiite for a change!
William…Bushman was trying to save many of the 11 plus Slave test boasters the embarrassment of finding out their parents displaced and disempowered other people’s children OVER MANY DECADES, to place them in boasting territory by paying bribes to say..” i pass for Cawmere”…pass shite, buy grades more like it…
..i dont even want to think of what their mothers and grandmothers had to do…given the evil minds of DBLP scum…when they met the lowest of the low like dirty Craig, wuk fuh wuk and other disrespectful exploitative and oppressive nobodies…trying get pretend resoectable placement for their small ones.
….but i have no such problem as Bushman…trying to soften the blow….they are sounding more and more ridiclous and it has become decidedly ANNOYING…
Time to expose that fraud.
The Slave minds are their own biggest enemy…notice how ALL of them remain stuck in the 1950s, 60s and INCAPABLE of learning new things….or moving forward from that time slot with intellectual precision.
Getting ready to visit beautiful Barbados.
Placing anti virus software on my phone.
Placing my VPN app on my phone
Adding CCleaner to my phone as well
Changing my BU name so that no one can guess who I am
Professing my great love of Mia and the BLP
Professing my admiration of our lawyers and judges
Having a new slogan … Ronnie O it is time to go
Supporting the nutrition program
Supporting all the initiatives put forward by this administration
Send a warm greeting to Lorenzo and Enuff
Changing the words sham and scam to “brilliant plan”
No mention of KK during the upcoming period
Extending a warm greeting to 555. What’s up bro?
Disassociating myself from pick-a-noise crew
Let’s get Barbados straight
Go with Mia in 28
Which come first, the Republic or its constitution?
Any fool knows that if you don’t have a republic you do not need a constitution for it, so the one and only correct decision is to have the republic first and the get the constitution.
Way to go, Mia
(How am I doing?)
Illiteracy
it’s a problem in the world today
we don’t want it
it’s a disease that has spread it’s root
we don’t want it on this promised land
illiteracy it’s a problem in your way today
Whilst there can be an active and robust debate about who is father of the nation, there can be no debate as to who is the mother of the nation.
“Mama Mia” , as I affectionately call her, stands alone.
News:
Proposed Genetic Classification for the Skin Types: Helmy’s Skin Types Classification
Yaaser Helmy Ali, MB BCh, MSc, MD
“The author proposes a new classification for skin types, opposite to Fitzpatrick’s.1
This classification is based on the recent genome studies,2 which are proving that dark skin is the default human color. Human origins, according to anthropology researches,3 were found in the sunny east of the globe, followed by migration toward the less sunny west.3 Then genetic mutations2 have happened in the human genome of the west habitant, >4,000 years ago, to accommodate with the cloudy climate. This accommodation was described as genetic selection,4 when 3 genes were mutated for white skin and 1 gene has mutated for blue eyes.5 Two genes are SLC24A5 and SLC45A2 that lead to skin depigmentation and, therefore, Europeans’ pale skin today. The third gene, HERC2/OCA2, causes blue eyes, and it contributes to light skin color and the blonde hair.2
These mutations provided white populations the ability to synthetize vitamin D from little exposure to sun in cloudy climate and gave them the ability for milk digestion. In contrary to dark skin populations, who are living in very sunny latitude and hot weather, they are in need for large amount of melanin to protect their skin from ultraviolet damage.
As dark skin types are the earliest found on the Earth, it makes sense to have genetic classification for the skin types.”
Analysis:
Finally they admit the truth .
BLACK SKIN IS THE DEFAULT HUMAN COLOUR & WHITE SKIN , BLUE EYES & BLONDE HAIR are due to mutated genes.
Scientist have been able to identify many of the genes involved such as – SLC24A5 and SLC45A2 that lead to skin depigmentation.HERC2/OCA2, causes blue eyes, and it contributes to light skin color and the blonde hair.
The author claims the mutations were driven by the cloudy climate of Europe.
These mutations provided white populations the ability to synthetize vitamin D from little exposure to sun in cloudy climate and gave them the ability for milk digestion.
What are your thoughts ?
My thoughts – PURE ALBINO BULLSHIT.
The “Original Humans” ( Africans) are perfectly adapted to inhabit every part of Planet Earth.
Albino People had Scientific proof that Blacks were in fact, perfectly suited to inhabit the Northern Climes.That proof was discovered in 2003 by a group scientists from several American research Universities, lead by R.J. Bryant. Therefore, all of those pseudo studies, and Articles after 2003, claiming that Blacks could not get enough Vitamin “D” in the North, and were ill-suited for life in the Northern Climes, were really just ruses and lies to make it appear that “White” Skin actually had a Natural Function, and therefore Europeans were really a “NEW” Race, and not just the Albinos of Blacks (Dravidians).
Racial Differences in Bone Turnover and Calcium Metabolism in Adolescent Females
R. J. Bryant, M. E. Wastney, B. R. Martin, O. Wood, G. P. McCabe, M. Morshidi, D. L. Smith, M. Peacock, C. M. Weaver
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Volume 88, Issue 3, 1 March 2003, Pages 1043–1047, https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2002-021367
Published: 01 March 2003 .
“Blacks develop a higher peak bone mass than whites which is associated with a reduced risk for bone fracture. ”
Selected Quotes to prove blacks have stronger bones.
Quote-1: “The population in the United States with the best bone health happens to be the African-American population,” says Dr. Ravi Thadhani, a professor of medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and lead author of the study.
Quote -2: SKIN WRINKLES AND BONE DENSITY
According to the results of a new study, firmer skin is associated with higher bone density, and skin with more wrinkles is associated with lower bone density.
Wrinkles could predict woman’s bone break risk
ABC/AFP.
Wrinkles on a woman’s face may be able to predict how likely she is to suffer from bone fractures, according to a (Yale University) US study.
The study, which was presented at the Endocrine Society meeting in the Boston, Massachusetts, claims more resilient skin is linked to better bone density.
It claims the level of proteins( collagen) in the skin and bones are linked, meaning if a woman’s face and neck are severely wrinkled, she faces a higher risk of bone breakage due to bone density loss.
Link to the study.
https://youtu.be/itX3V4kCvQk
We have so many talented Bajans abroad that can give back.
https://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/466425/neville-l-holder-phd-ms-qara-presented-with-the-albert-nelson-marquis-lifetime-achievement-award-by-marquis-whos-who
Wuh de topic is again?
@David
Fair isn’t a word known to this lot. EVERY decision is ALWAYS about preserving a voting bloc, making statistics look good, having material for good PR whether substantive or not and coming up with next new buzzword, acronym or phoolish phancy phrase. Oh yes, and punishing perceived enemies a la Tom’s back rooms and Owen’s caustic tongue. If ya doubt muh look back at education and dem two teachers that exercised their constitutional rights. Seems like one of them still getting the sh###ty end of the stick.
Just observing
@Observing
Unfortunately your observation seems to be an enduring characteristic of the political class.
@ Brilliant BLP Man 2028 on May 21, 2023 at 6:23 PM said:
The Supreme Leader of our hearts is like Elizabeth I of England. She is married to Barbados alone. One day historians will portray her as the great heroine who defeated all the menaces of Barbados: the hurricane, the volcanic ash and plagues like Corona and the DLP.
No one can stop the presidential constitution with a one-party system any more. The people want it that way. The DLP has simply imploded. The still-president shines with lunatic conspiracy theories on electoral fraud. In the background, the don from New York in his yellow jumpsuit is already lurking to take over the party. The more intelligent DLP grandees like Big Sinck have long since defected to the Supreme Leader.
Let us celebrate joyfully the Millennial Kingdom of our Supreme Leader!
Tron
I guess we have given up on education. Mums the word.
@Donna
Like many challenges confronting the nation we need our authorities to act. We need leadership in all spheres, the formula is the same everywhere.
Seriously Boss…!!
Are you suggesting that our leaders have the CAPABILITY to address these various issue, but simply lack the will to act?
…or perhaps are being impeded from acting responsibly and wisely?
LOL…
Far more likely, is the REALITY that these jokers HAVE NO CLUE of how to go about getting positive results…. much as they would GENUINELY like to do so…
HERE IS THE REALITY!!! whether you believe Bushie or NOT!!! (…and no matter how pissed it makes Pacha…)
There is ONLY one source of WISDOM…. and that is THE source that initiated the whole concept of life on Earth…. and that set the BASE RULES for ‘success and failure’.
EVERYTHING ELSE is Jobby….
Therefore, unless our ‘leaders’ humble themselves, and pray, and seek God’s face, and turn from their wicked ways; our donkeys will only drift into deeper and deeper jobby….
..no matter how much shiite we talk on BU or elsewhere… or how many shoulders they rub, or how many new shiite Laws they pass.
@ David
I’ve often heard persons from the other Caribbean territories say Bajans ‘have education, but no common sense’
I’ve also been reading debates on cricket threads, during which several Guyanese ALWAYS descend the discussion into criticizing Barbados and Barbadians.
One Guyanese even said Bajans and their government are STUPID.
Yet, these UNGRATEFUL Guyanese, also described in other regional territories as ‘parasites,’ come to Barbados, where they are allowed to ‘set up shop’ anywhere in Bridgetown or on the highway to either sell vegetables or food and beverages, WITHOUT the required permits and licenses……
…… engage in the illegal occupation of people’s property, to wit, squatting……
……. while REMAINING in the island ILLEGALLY.
Yet, our ‘government’ REWARDED those ILLEGAL vendors with stalls in the new Fairchild Street market facilities, ahead of legitimate Barbadian vendors.
And, the squatters with grants, loans aa well as houses & land…… perhaps indicating there is some truth to their criticisms.
Recently, the Planning Development Department demolished illegal structures constructed by squatters at Bellevue, Station Hill, St. Michael, in defiance of enforcement notices that were issued some time last year and as recent as two (2) weeks ago.
One Guyanese, who claimed to be a qualified teacher, said his rent of $1,200 per month was too burdensome, so he decided to BREAK THE LAW and squat.
A tearful Jamaican also expressed similar sentiments of a $1,200 rent burden, and that both her parents are ‘cancer patients,’ so as to JUSTIFY her reason for breaking Barbados’ laws.
They know these ‘sad stories’ will be enough for, according to Guyanese, our ‘STUPID GOVERNMENT’ to react and reward them with houses 🏠 and land or grants even.
I do not believe squatting, ESPECIALLY by NON-NATIONALS, SHOULDN’T be TOLERATED or REWARDED in Barbados.
@Artax
Your position is well documented on BU and so is the blogmaster’s. Every situation of squatting has to be treated differently. That said the government must be careful to appear to treat with matters fairly and humanely.
…..say Bajans ‘have education, but no common sense’
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Surely Artax can see – from his own presentation, why our neighbors (and indeed anyone WITH common sense) would come to this conclusion.
Not only do we allow poor regional immigrants to come here and break our laws with impunity, we INVITE rich foreign and local albinos to have they way with our treasury – as long as they pass some of the loot back to the ‘intelligent, sensible, bajans’ that we have entrusted with our national assets… and we all KNOW this…
Bushie wonders how Artax would describe such people….
“Bushie (does not) need to wonder how Artax would describe such people,” simply because Artax’s “position is well documented on BU.” However, Artax raised a specific concern with David, (NOT Bushie), and, on which he intends to focus.
@ Artax
Basic BU rule – (established by PODRYR….and passed by the BU senate)
UNLESS it is enclosed in SQUARE brackets, any shiite that is posted to the blogmaster (or to anyone else) is fair game to be whacked….
..so wheel… 🙂
Good morning to the nation.
Good morning to the mother of the nation – Mama Mia
I hope that I have established my fealty and undying love for Mia during the past week. Hopefully, my efforts have left Tron 😄, enuff and Lorenzo feeling threatened.
Go Mia.
Does the average Barbadian have the capability to appreciate to be considered to execute the bed education reform? Thinking aloud.
“Does the average Barbadian have the capability to appreciate to be considered to execute the bed education reform?”
Which average would that be?
The mode is the value that appears most often in a set of data values.
The median is the middle value in a set of data.
The mean is the average of a data set, found by adding all numbers together and then dividing the sum of the numbers by the number of numbers.
What is the bed education reform?
is the bed education reform the top secret IDB survey of sexual deviance proclivity test to identify those pupils who may want to take a walk on the wild side when the freaks come out at night?
they were upset because they didn’t revise on the subject matter to answer correctly to pass
This is an interesting case. One that makes onlookers go hmmm.
https://starcomnetwork.net/blog/2023/05/25/ministry-of-education-probing-teachers-credentials/
@David
Many things nowadays should make people go hmm
If that allegation is true then we really making mock sport around here.
Yes Observing. Who to hold accountable? Is some qualification audit required to filter ‘others’?
‘Being in form’ with educational reform
This article was submitted by Professor Dwayne Devonish, author of the National Workplace Wellness Policy for Barbados 2019 and attorney Maya L. Kellman.
Education reform has garnered significant attention from individuals invested in the local education system, captivating the thoughts and conversations of nearly every Barbadian in recent weeks. However, it is crucial to recognise that implementing education reform is no simple task. It goes beyond mere rhetoric and buzzwords like “junior academies”, “academies of excellence” or “elimination of the 11-plus exam”.
Education reform necessitates a shift in mindset and attitude. In Jamaican parlance, it requires the “backative” or active support of the entire community.
The specifics or granular details on the “what” and “how” of educational reform will almost always invite debate and contention among different segments of the population. There should, however, exist key best practice standards operating within any reform effort, especially one that involves the transformation of our educational system. In this piece, we submit some best practice recommendations for guiding those stakeholders (the Ministry responsible for educational reform and its strategic partners) in the planning, coordinating and execution of the pending educational reform exercise earmarked for the country’s educational system.
Recommended Best Practices for Educational Reform
Based on careful research and reflection, we submit the following best practice recommendations to help inform the educational reform effort in Barbados:
1. Inclusive Stakeholder Engagement: At the start of any planned reform exercise, it is incumbent on the ministry responsible for education and its supporting partners to ensure the needed active involvement of all key stakeholders, including principals, teachers, parents/guardians, students, trade unions, private sector, NGOs, and education experts (among others) in the reform process. Creating accessible platforms for open dialogue, collaboration, and constructive feedback to address concerns and build consensus is essential to this process.
While it may not be possible to achieve 100 per cent buy-in or acceptance of every detail of reform (whether the entrance exam to secondary schools should be abolished or not; or whether we need junior academies/academies of excellence, and so on), the aim of consultation and engagement is to gather input, address concerns, educate stakeholders, build trust and credibility in the decision-making process, and incorporate valuable insights from stakeholders to create a more inclusive and informed decisionmaking process. However, it is also necessary to recognise the need to balance consultation with the need for progress and efficiency. Overemphasis on consultation without timely decision-making and action can result in delays, inertia, and frustration. Striking the right balance involves setting clear objectives, establishing well-defined consultation processes, and ensuring that decisions are made within a reasonable timeframe.
2. Clear Communication: Develop a comprehensive communication strategy to clearly articulate the goals, objectives, and benefits of the planned educational reform. Provide clear and timely information to all stakeholders, addressing misconceptions and alleviating fears. Clear communication promotes transparency by openly sharing information about the reform plans, progress, and any changes or updates. This helps build trust and credibility among stakeholders, as they feel informed and included in the decisionmaking process. It allows stakeholders to understand the reasons behind the need for change, the challenges being addressed, and the potential benefits that can be derived from the reform.
3. Gradual Implementation: Consider a phased approach to the reform, allowing for sufficient time to adapt and address any challenges that may arise. Gradual implementation provides an opportunity for stakeholders to become familiar with the changes and make necessary adjustments. This approach also allows for pilot testing of the reform initiatives on a smaller scale before fullscale implementation. This enables policymakers and education authorities to assess the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed changes, identify potential challenges or issues, and make necessary adjustments. Pilot testing helps refine and fine-tune the reform strategies based on real-world feedback and evidence.
4. Continuous Professional Development: Prioritise ongoing professional development for teachers and school administrators to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to implement the reform effectively. Offer training programmes, workshops, and mentoring opportunities to support educators throughout the process. Professional development assists teachers and school administrators in aligning their instructional practices with the reformed curricula. It helps them understand the learning objectives, content standards, and assessment criteria outlined in the new curricula. Educational reform also often requires teachers and school administrators to adapt to new ways of working which is naturally expected in major change exercises in the system.
5. Monitoring and Evaluation of Reform Activities: Establish a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the progress, impact, and effectiveness of the reform. Regularly review and analyse data to identify areas of success and areas that require further attention and improvement.
6. Flexibility and Adaptability in the Process: Recognise that educational reform is an iterative process and may require adjustments along the way. Be open to feedback and be willing to modify strategies or approaches based on evidence and changing needs.
7. Research and Evidence-Based Practices: Base the reform on sound research and evidence-based practices. Consider international (regional and local) best practices and lessons learned from other educational systems to inform decision-making and implementation which are in alignment to our cultural landscape. Companion to the application of sound research and evidence is the assurance that the newly reformed curricula are properly aligned with the Government’s economic diversification strategy. Research and best practice evidence internationally indicate that these curricula should reflect the evolving needs of the workforce and the changing economic landscape.
New competencies
This entails incorporating new competencies and skills that are in high demand and directly relevant to the country’s socio-economic goals. In addition to traditional academic subjects, there should be a deliberate focus on developing soft or transferable skills, such as emotional intelligence, critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, communication, and collaboration as well as emerging and dynamic technical and vocational skill areas. These skills are essential for success in the modern workplace and contribute to the country’s economic growth and diversification efforts.
8.Continuous Engagement with the Public: Engage the wider public in discussions on educational reform through public consultations, town hall meetings, and online platforms. Solicit feedback, address concerns, and foster a sense of ownership among the public. Ensure that the consultation process is accompanied by a clear decision-making framework. Establish timelines for decision-making based on the reform objectives and the input received. As stated earlier, this approach helps avoid the trap of never-ending consultation and ensures that decisions are made in a timely manner.
Plan for fallout
9. Managing the Fallout in the Reform: It is almost inevitable that some form of fallout will ensue – even in the most properly planned reform exercise. Plan for and acknowledge (in the earliest stages) the social, psychological and emotional impact (or fallout) of this reform exercise on key parties and provide avenues for teachers, students, and parents (and others) to express their concerns, frustrations, or anxieties. Offer counselling and related services or support groups to help individuals navigate the transition and address any fallout.
10. Long-Term Vision and Sustainability: Develop a long-term vision for educational reform in Barbados, ensuring its alignment with national development goals. Consider the sustainability of the reform by securing adequate resources, maintaining stakeholder engagement, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Prioritising equitable distribution of resources (inclusive of technical and staffing resource assignments) is especially critical in this reform exercise in order to address perennial
disparities among schools and other institutions in the country. Consider the specific needs of disadvantaged schools (and communities) and allocate resources accordingly to bridge gaps in educational opportunities and outcomes.
“Clarity or Conspiracy”: Need to Unveil the Truth of Educational Reform
In today’s information age, it seems that everyone, whether an expert or an ordinary person, has an “optimal” solution for educational reform.
Even as writers, we find ourselves tempted to offer our perspectives and ideas. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that discussing educational reform without having access to the full details can lead to incomplete and potentially misleading conversations.
It is imperative for the ministry to provide a comprehensive and transparent understanding of the reform efforts. Without clarity, speculation and conspiracy theories can arise, hindering progress and undermining public trust. The ministry must take the initiative to address concerns, provide accurate information, and foster open dialogue to ensure that the reform process is driven by informed decisions and shared understanding.
Preparation
As Barbados embarks on a transformative journey towards educational reform, the echoes of anticipation and curiosity reverberate throughout the nation. The desire for an education system that prepares students for the challenges of the future and aligns with the country’s vision of progress is palpable.
However, as we delve into the intricacies of this reform effort, one question lingers in the air: How do we navigate the path to change when everyone seems to have an optimal solution, and yet, the full details of the reform remain elusive?
It is in this context that the Ministry of Education must rise to the occasion, providing clarity, transparency, and a comprehensive vision for the future.
Only then can we truly engage in a meaningful dialogue and address the concerns that arise from uncertainty.
#procrastination
#unions
That was a great article. It has as cornerstones (1) Communication between parties and (2) accepting feedback.
All of this is pinned to being transparent with emphasis on “setting clear objectives, establishing well-defined consultation processes, and ensuring that decisions are made within a reasonable timeframe.
Should be mandatory reading for those in charge of educating our youths.
The article reminded of a course which I took once with emphasis on setting goals/objectives. They should be SMART.
What are SMART goals?
SMART goals (or SMART criteria) refer to a goal-writing guide that outlines five standards for your goals. These state that your goals should be:
Specific: target a particular area for improvement
Measurable: quantify or suggest progress metrics
Achievable: ensure you can achieve your goals with the given resources
Realistic: outline what results you can feasibly achieve using the available resources
Timely: highlight when your goal should be achieved
@Theo
We await “SMART” actions. Seem to be long in coming!
Just observing
A useful article by Ralph Jemmott.
Source:Nation
History currently taught in schools is pure fantasy & lies:
Blacks were the first European:
Blacks who came from Africa 45,000 BC at the end of the ice melt were the 1st inhabitants of all of Europe up to Russia as well as in the Nordic countries (they were no albinos in ancient Europe/ blondes with blue eyes did not yet exist).
Africans are the ones who built the Europe that you admire in its art, & its culture. The nobility, royalty, papacy, clergy throughout Europe were blacks.
THE HISTORY OF FRANCE AND EUROPE TAUGHT TO YOUR CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS IS BASED LIES / FALSIFICATIONS, FAKE PAINTING / ARTEFACTS.
Albino/ Barbarian invasions of Black Europe:
Albinos (blondes/ red heads with blue eyes & pale skin) were driven out of central Asia by the Mongols, they continued to migrate west & entered Europe. Throughout history, these illiterate barbarians ( albinos) waged multiple wars against Black Europeans.
This was done for the sole purpose to oust blacks from Europe they had built , to exterminate them, to despoil them, to usurp them, to send them into slavery in North America.
Albinos used a series of race wars to exterminated blacks and send them into slavery in North America after having totally despoiled them of their lands and nobility titles, to then proceed to impersonate this black nobility & write them out of of history.
The Albinos made their first move in continental Europe when they attacked the last Black Empire in Europe;
“The Holy Roman Empire” centered in Germany.
The Thirty Years’ War was a conflict fought largely within the Holy Roman Empire from 1618 to 1648.
At about the same time, Albinos in Britain were at war to bring down the last great Black House in Britain: “The House of Stuart” aka “The British Civil Wars”.
At the end of these Wars, Black survivors in Britain and Europe were shipped off to the Americas and the Caribbean as Indentures and Slaves.
The victorious Albinos of Germany and Great Britain gathered the black survivors of the wars, the prisoners of these wars and sent them to North America and the Caribbean as slaves.
Black domination in Europe has been broken.
The wars took place between the end of the Middle Ages: late 15th century and the 19th century. The albinos then set out to create a false history of the world, placing themselves in the natural position of blacks as creators and explorers of the world, and as natural leaders of the world – WITH FALSE ARTIFACTS TO SUPPORT THEIR LIES AND now until today strict and total control over information and all means to disseminate it through the use of intimidation and both psychological and physical violence. “(6). It was with these means that they erased the blacks of history and presented them as primitive beings, uncivilized, without culture, having invented nothing and ignorant.
Thus, “the leucoderma having no history of its own besides invasion and murder, has built a story of fantasy based on lies, the usurpation and the fabrication of forgery after destroying the culture built for generations by blacks in all the countries of Europe before his arrival. (6) Historical monuments, such as cathedrals, castles, Gothic buildings, and those of the Renaissance period (1300 to 1600), whose architecture you admire, were designed and built by the black elite of Europe. The newly arrived leucoderma: by the barbarian invasions (from the years 370 AD), acted criminal, usurper, spoliator in order to eliminate the black and steal his discoveries, his art … through various conflicts cited more above. The leucoderm through the use of violence, his first weapon, has recovered all this knowledge, falsified it to almost 100% to appropriate the invention and make it the owner .. The nobility European royalty were black; Charlemagne, Charles V and many others were blacks and not the falsified characters often depicted blue-eyed blond. The whites after having destroyed all that had been conceived by the blacks: destruction of documents, statues, paintings, portraits; have made the fabrication of false portraits, falsification of paintings and statues representing black eminences to make false white personalities (Kings ex: the Stuart dynasty in England, the kings in France who were black, Leopold I in Germany and well other noble blacks in other countries of Europe: Russia, Hungary ….) .. So after taking the lands of the blacks, their artistic constructions and their history to call them theirs, they became active during centuries to a work of demonization of the blacks and the black color (ex: black ideas, a black day etc …)
Thus, the Albinos having no history of its own besides invasion and murder, has built a story of fantasy based on lies, the usurpation and the fabrication of forgery after destroying the culture built for generations by blacks in all the countries of Europe before his arrival. (6) Historical monuments, such as cathedrals, castles, Gothic buildings, and those of the Renaissance period (1300 to 1600), whose architecture you admire, were designed and built by the black elite of Europe.
The newly arrived leucoderma( albinos): by the barbarian invasions , acted as criminals, usurpers, spoliators in order to eliminate the black and steal his discoveries, his art … through various conflicts cited more above.
The leucoderm( albino) through the use of violence, his first weapon, has recovered all this knowledge, falsified it to almost 100% to appropriate the invention and make it the owner .. The nobility European royalty were black; Charlemagne, Charles V and many others were blacks and not the falsified characters often depicted blue-eyed blond. The whites after having destroyed all that had been conceived by the blacks: destruction of documents, statues, paintings, portraits; have made the fabrication of false portraits, falsification of paintings and statues representing black eminences to make false white personalities (Kings ex: the Stuart dynasty in England, the kings in France who were black, Leopold I in Germany and well other noble blacks in other countries of Europe: Russia, Hungary ….) .. So after taking the lands of the blacks, their artistic constructions and their history to call them theirs, they became active during centuries to a work of demonization of the blacks and the black color (ex: black ideas, a black day etc …)
Proof that African built Europe:
The albinos were not able to destroy all the evidence.
Quote:
“Two thousand years of history Black History could not be wiped away so easily.”
Bob Marley
Zion Train – Uprising (1979).
The evidence is hidden in plain sight.
German Cities/Towns with Black Kings (crowned) in their Crests:
of which there are perhaps hundreds, even thousands, as All European countries have Crests with Black Kings or other such imagery.
What happened to the ancient black people of Europe?
They were driven West and south, by incoming Albino Germanic tribes, who themselves were being chased out of Asia by the Huns of Mongolia.
The Migration Period, also called the Barbarian Invasions (and in German: Völkerwanderung ‘migration of peoples’), was a period of human migration that occurred during roughly 300–700 A.D. in Europe, marking the transition from Late Antiquity to the Early Middle Ages. These movements were catalyzed by profound changes within both the Roman Empire and the so-called “barbarian frontier”. Migrating peoples during this period included the Huns, and the Albino Germanic tribes: Goths, Vandals, Avars, Bulgars, Alans, Suebi, Frisians, and Franks, among other Germanic and Slavic tribes.
Thus the Huns forced “MOST” Whites out of their ancestral lands in Asia, and into Europe: causing death and displacement for the native Blacks in Europe.
Later, in about the seventh century, Mongols once again went to war to rid Asia of it’s last Whites – the Turks!
With the coming of the White Turks, now Blacks in Anatolia, Arabia, the Middle East, and North Africa, would be killed and displaced – and many who survived would be “Absorbed”: creating a new “Sub-Race” of “Brown-Skinned” Turks, who often call themselves Arabs: vis-à-vis their Islamic religion. They are now the ruling elite in North Africa, the middle East, and Arabia.
Albino Racism:
Title: America as a Land of Opportunity
Author: Benjamin Franklin
Year: 1751
Quote: “Which leads me to add one Remark: That the Number of purely white People in the World is proportionably very small. All Africa is black or tawny. Asia chiefly tawny. America (exclusive of the new Comers) wholly so. And in Europe, the Spaniards, Italians, French, Russians and Swedes, are generally of what we call a swarthy Complexion; as are the Germans also, the Saxons only excepted, who with the English, make the principal Body of White People on the Face of the Earth. I could wish their Numbers were increased.
See how I got your attention? Apologies for that cheap trick.
Education only ko
Did you fully understand the promised new initiatives for educating our children? If so, will you explain them for me?
I have looked at the released PR statements and nothing seem to stick in my head.
The BU think tank needs to get energized and comment on these recent promises/pronouncements.
Why do I have to wait until Sunday when we may have comments from Mr Jemmott and others.
The ONLY purpose of that ‘EDUCATION REFORM ANNOUNCEMENT’ is to take control of the national dialog, hopefully with a topic that may not show up the kinds of ineptitude that seems to be inherent in almost every other initiative…
No INTELLIGENT person would even consider that the pamphlet produced and the nonsense spoken could be of ANY possible relevance to reality.
PUT SIMPLY:
If the Ministry of Eddykashun CANNOT manage the appointment of a few dozen principals and teachers after a FULL SUMMER HOLIDAY in which to plan it..
HOW the donkey are we to even THINK that they can implement positive changes to the eddykashun system currently sinking the country?
LOL
When asked about the plan of action, the Chief responded on brass tacks that effectively, the whole thing is just a kite being flown to see how the wind is blowing….
THAT is leadership…..!!!???
The very BEST action plan for this government now is to STOP EVERYTHING!!
No more ‘initiatives…’, just keep a low profile and let us drift…. cause everything they do is just digging us deeper into the cream.
When you find yourself in a deep hole, STEP ONE …is to STOP digging…!
re The BU think tank needs to get energized and comment on these recent promises/pronouncements.
QUESTION
PLEASE TELL US THE NAMES OF THE MEMBERS OF THE BU THINK TANK AND EXPLAIN WITH WHAT THEY THINK
The Letter to the Editor by Anthony Wood appearing in today’s press about the glossy document being circulated by the MOE encapsulates comments posted to BU over time.