Let me preface this by saying that I currently have two children in the Public School System and two more that will be enrolled in the next few years so I have a vested interest in seeing it succeed. It is my belief that major restructuring is needed and not just the window dressing that we have seen previously or what has been recently proposed. From my own personal experiences I can point out numerous flaws that need to be addressed.
Teachers are being admitted into the system with dubious credentials. Just because you have a degree in a field from a learning institution that nobody has heard of does not make you qualified to teach my or anyone else's children. Backgrounds and qualifications must be vetted more thoroughly.
I have found that there are many wonderful teachers but their creativity is stifled by an overly rigid and controlling structure. If they are truly qualified instructors then please remove the bureaucratic obstacles and let them teach. They enter the system fresh and full of ideas with a sparkle in their eye and a fire in their heart, but within a few years this is extinguished and replaced by the "it's just a job" attitude. I fear that this is causing the exceptional teachers to leave the system and persue more fulfilling roles in the private sector.
When broken down per child the amount of money spent is outrageous for the sub par level of service provided. $150 million dollars divided by 5,900 students equals $25,423 per year. Student enrollment is dropping as more people lose faith in the system and place their children in private education and home schools yet the Ministries budget does not reflect this.
The children are being made to adjust to the learning environment instead of the environment and curriculum being tailored and tweaked to fit them. Outside the box thinking and innovation is discouraged as is anything that is not considered the "norm". It can be seen throughout history that outside the box thinkers that didn't conform are the ones that have led the way. Is the goal to produce strictly average students? If the current regime continues this will undoubtedly be the end result.
I have had experiences with reading recovery and learning support in Primary School. One would think the extra help for the students is a good idea but the problem is this. If a student is having problems with reading and you pull said student out of his mathematics class on a continual basis would you be at all surprised if the students falls behind in math as well? Seems like a simple problem but it occurs more often than you would think.
The Hopkins Report laid out exactly what was wrong and needed improvement. It also clearly explained ways for them to be fixed. We owe it to our children to act on these recommendations as soon as possible, it has already been four years since the report was presented. How many more years must we wait?
Having said all this please realize that I am not making a blanket statement about all teachers or all schools. Also let me say that a teachers job today is more difficult than ever with all the social ills that are so pervasive in our community. We also must not forget that parents have a huge roll to play and I am by no means absolving them of any responsibility in the problems with education today. At the end of the day my ultimate goal is the same as yours, to insure that our children receive the world class education that our tax dollars have paid for.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Is it Really Justified?
The following comment was sent to me by a Bermudian that has lived in the UK for quite some time...
I love Bermuda and advertise of its beauty often, even in the advertising I stress with out reservation that it is extremely expensive.
I was enquiring about a hotel or guest house for a friend to come down last year and thought that I could find something for maybe $70 a night and was told even with a staff discount I would find nothing less than $200, I was dumbfounded.
I have been back there twice since leaving and was stunned at the prices of everything. I could never think of coming back to live as I couldn't possibly justify it.
Here you pay $1,800 for a 4 bed room house with two ensuite bathrooms, a full bathroom, large lounge and a cloakroom and good size kitchen, but over there I hear you pay more than that sometimes for a one bedroom; that is just mad.
I can buy a 2 litre bottle of water for 50 cents but have to pay almost $3 for it there. Not dissing the place but I believe that the truth has to be told, it is unnecessarily over priced.
Is it really justified?
So... it could all be explained away by saying that we pay more because everything has to be imported and with that numerous people must be paid for said services etc. but at the end of the day is the struggle that is life in Bermuda really justified? I'm beginning to wonder... and I am not alone.
I love Bermuda and advertise of its beauty often, even in the advertising I stress with out reservation that it is extremely expensive.
I was enquiring about a hotel or guest house for a friend to come down last year and thought that I could find something for maybe $70 a night and was told even with a staff discount I would find nothing less than $200, I was dumbfounded.
I have been back there twice since leaving and was stunned at the prices of everything. I could never think of coming back to live as I couldn't possibly justify it.
Here you pay $1,800 for a 4 bed room house with two ensuite bathrooms, a full bathroom, large lounge and a cloakroom and good size kitchen, but over there I hear you pay more than that sometimes for a one bedroom; that is just mad.
I can buy a 2 litre bottle of water for 50 cents but have to pay almost $3 for it there. Not dissing the place but I believe that the truth has to be told, it is unnecessarily over priced.
Is it really justified?
So... it could all be explained away by saying that we pay more because everything has to be imported and with that numerous people must be paid for said services etc. but at the end of the day is the struggle that is life in Bermuda really justified? I'm beginning to wonder... and I am not alone.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Premier Cox's $150 Million Savings Fallout
As reported in the Royal Gazette bus drivers aren't happy with the new rota system put in place by the new Minister of Transport Terry Lister. A meeting is scheduled for Monday. I wonder if the buses will be in service? Might have to make other arrangements for the journey to and from work in tomorrow... sigh.
Methinks this is just the beginning as it appears the new Premier is serious about the $150 million in savings she has previously announced. Considering Gov. payroll is somewhere in the $500 million region this will be an obvious place to to make cuts. Cutting jobs will be political suicide so it looks like reducing work hours, overtime cuts and wage freezes will be the name order of the day.
Hopefully the Union and Gov. Departments will realize that strike action will be futile in this economic climate. They will find little sympathy from the taxpayers as Joe public has already been forced to cut back, it is government who has arrived late to this party.
Methinks this is just the beginning as it appears the new Premier is serious about the $150 million in savings she has previously announced. Considering Gov. payroll is somewhere in the $500 million region this will be an obvious place to to make cuts. Cutting jobs will be political suicide so it looks like reducing work hours, overtime cuts and wage freezes will be the name order of the day.
Hopefully the Union and Gov. Departments will realize that strike action will be futile in this economic climate. They will find little sympathy from the taxpayers as Joe public has already been forced to cut back, it is government who has arrived late to this party.
Charles Richardson Libel Case
I find it curious that this case even made it to court. As reported in the Royal Gazette the facebook status in question .
“Why on earth Robert Cardwell has taken an unhealthy interest in me is astonishing...I really hope it ain’t because I’m good at what I do and I’m black...that would make him vindictive and racist...could it be?”
Isn't this a question Charles is asking? It's not a statement... How do you charge libel for something posed as a question?
“Why on earth Robert Cardwell has taken an unhealthy interest in me is astonishing...I really hope it ain’t because I’m good at what I do and I’m black...that would make him vindictive and racist...could it be?”
Isn't this a question Charles is asking? It's not a statement... How do you charge libel for something posed as a question?
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Kim Wilson, Parking Tickets & Switching Plates
Senator Kim Wilson got a parking ticket on her Government car, but expects it to be canceled because she understands Ministerial vehicles are exempt from fines, this according to an article in today's Royal Gazette. It seems cars GP1- GP20? are the ones exempt as her plate is currently GP30 she received a ticket in error. My question is this, why take already scarce parking spaces from Joe Public when there is designated parking on Cabinet grounds?
I also question the legality of the constant switching of GP license plates by Public Works. I have personally seen two GP10's on the road at the same time. Is this another case of Government doing whatever it wants? If I have a trucking business with two trucks am I free to switch plates at will? Of course not as the vin numbers etc. would not correspond to what is in the records at TCD. If I am wrong on this can somebody please correct me....
I also question the legality of the constant switching of GP license plates by Public Works. I have personally seen two GP10's on the road at the same time. Is this another case of Government doing whatever it wants? If I have a trucking business with two trucks am I free to switch plates at will? Of course not as the vin numbers etc. would not correspond to what is in the records at TCD. If I am wrong on this can somebody please correct me....
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Bermuda Regiment Needs Review 2011
Speaking as someone who has completed his "allotted time" in the Bermuda Regiment I must say that I completely agree with Walton Brown's opinion piece in today's Royal Gazette. It was obvious to me during my service that far too much time is wasted forcing compliance with the rules and creating a cohesive force. If I had thought my service would have been beneficial to my future endeavours I would have been much more attentive instead of counting the days to completion. Better to have 100 well paid volunteers make a career of it than 300 conscripts. One would think that the new price point would be similar to the old. We could give the better quality soldier produced a much expanded role, one in keeping with the needs of Bermuda today. They would take pride in activities meaningful to the entire community ie. Coast Guard etc.
My first 2 week camp served as a traumatic introduction to Regiment life. The cursing and berating by ones superiors seemed more befitting to a convicted criminal guilty of the most heinous crime, not young impressionable men fresh out of high school. I was defiant at first, as was a high percentage of my peers but you quickly learn that there are punishments for those that choose to buck the system. After awhile one becomes immune to the treatment, your fate is sealed and you learn acceptance. The goal of this treatment is to make you a man right? I was told by the then Col. that this ordeal was necessary to prepare us for the working world, when working on a job you have to follow the bosses orders right? Yes and no. The major overriding difference is that I applied and choose to work at my job but I was forced against my will to serve in the Regiment. If I am abused by my boss there are options open to me, I can even get an different job. So you see this justification is absurd but one that i have found they use often.
I sit here 13 years after service with a head full of useless information such as how to field strip and reassemble a rifle in the dark. As a matter of fact I would be so bold as to say that the Regiment actually helps to foster a love of guns in the youth that have passed through its ranks. I personally witnessed many of my peers develop this love, only to be informed on there completion of the required 3 years and 2 months that they can never legally handle said weaponry here again. Why encourage this behaviour in 18 year old aggressive males in a supposed gun free society? Makes you think doesn't it? Is it any wonder they feel the need to answer the call of the cold black steel in a Bermuda where being in the wrong place at the wrong time could quite possibly end your life? In other countries you can have this lust fulfilled by legally owning one and participating in recreational shooting at a range but not in the land of contradiction we call Bermuda.
We must decide if the current configuration of the Bermuda Regiment is the way forward for 2011 and beyond. It is my personal belief that an unbiased review must be done and the results put to the people. We must decide if this is the way we should be treating our young men. There must be a better way, all we have to do is be willing to look.
My first 2 week camp served as a traumatic introduction to Regiment life. The cursing and berating by ones superiors seemed more befitting to a convicted criminal guilty of the most heinous crime, not young impressionable men fresh out of high school. I was defiant at first, as was a high percentage of my peers but you quickly learn that there are punishments for those that choose to buck the system. After awhile one becomes immune to the treatment, your fate is sealed and you learn acceptance. The goal of this treatment is to make you a man right? I was told by the then Col. that this ordeal was necessary to prepare us for the working world, when working on a job you have to follow the bosses orders right? Yes and no. The major overriding difference is that I applied and choose to work at my job but I was forced against my will to serve in the Regiment. If I am abused by my boss there are options open to me, I can even get an different job. So you see this justification is absurd but one that i have found they use often.
I sit here 13 years after service with a head full of useless information such as how to field strip and reassemble a rifle in the dark. As a matter of fact I would be so bold as to say that the Regiment actually helps to foster a love of guns in the youth that have passed through its ranks. I personally witnessed many of my peers develop this love, only to be informed on there completion of the required 3 years and 2 months that they can never legally handle said weaponry here again. Why encourage this behaviour in 18 year old aggressive males in a supposed gun free society? Makes you think doesn't it? Is it any wonder they feel the need to answer the call of the cold black steel in a Bermuda where being in the wrong place at the wrong time could quite possibly end your life? In other countries you can have this lust fulfilled by legally owning one and participating in recreational shooting at a range but not in the land of contradiction we call Bermuda.
We must decide if the current configuration of the Bermuda Regiment is the way forward for 2011 and beyond. It is my personal belief that an unbiased review must be done and the results put to the people. We must decide if this is the way we should be treating our young men. There must be a better way, all we have to do is be willing to look.
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