Minister makes plea to parents
By NOELLE NICOLLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
nnicolls@tribunemedia.net:
BAHAMIAN parents were yesterday urged to play a more active role in their children's education.
Desmond Bannister, Minister of Education, said the difference between students who excel in the public school system and students who under-perform is the support they receive from their families.
He said in his experience, children with Haitian parentage often excel because they are supported by their families, and the same was true for Bahamian children who excel.
"In our public schools we have many, many children who are doing well and excelling, and they are Bahamian children. A priest said this to me at a graduation ceremony, look at all the people who got awards, you can almost know, without seeing the family, the type of family they came from: a family with a commitment to education and a commitment to seeing their children do well. There is nothing I want more than to see my Bahamians excel in education. I have to send the message out there that we have to spend more time with our children," said Mr Bannister.
Education statistics show that less than 10 per cent of the total graduating cohort received a 'C' grade or above on their BGCSE examinations.
Mr Bannister said while he believes the level of commitment to education is displayed by some Bahamian children in the way they are allowed to walk to school with no books in their hands, their pants hanging down and their pants legs in their socks, that is not the majority of Bahamian children, and "only one of the realities we face in education."
"The real issue that all of us have to face is what is our commitment to the education of our children. How much time do we spend with them; how much interest do we display in what they are doing; how much time do we help them with school. These are the real issues," said Mr Bannister.
"My commitment is to try to get as many of my Bahamian brothers and sisters as possible to understand the commitment to excellence in their children's education. I want Bahamians to focus on excellence in their children's education. That is why we are having the parenting seminar in August. We want parents to be aware. When we find scapegoats, when we look for anyone else as scapegoats, we are not really addressing the problem," he said.
Samuel Johnson, a member of the Centreville Primary school board of directors, said he was concerned about Haitian children receiving all of the "benefits, awards and certificates" of the public school system at the expense of Bahamians.
His comments were applauded by some participants in a seminar of more than 100 public school principals and board members, Friday.
Mr Johnson expressed his personal sentiments during the question and answer section of the financial management seminar, where the Minister spoke. However, Ministry officials did not readily have statistics to support the view. A senior official could only confirm the number of children of Haitian parentage is "large" in some inner city schools, and many of them were "indeed excelling."
Bahamians had a lot to say on Tribune242.com about the opinion of Mr Johnson and the response from the Minister, who said there was to be no discrimination of any children in public schools.
"Again, blaming persons of other nationalities is not the problem to solving this crisis. We need more schools, more educational funding, better teaching conditions, more 'old-school' teachers of yester-years, and the list goes on and on. The greater debate here should be about how we, as Bahamians, can go about being more civilly, community-minded parents, teachers, students, neighbours, etceteras," stated a Tribune242.com commenter, under the title "Give me a break!"
"If all of the Haitian (or Jamaican or Guyanese) children were to pack up their 'georgie bundles' and leave the Bahamas, you can bet your last bottom dollar that there would be zero to no change in the overall attitudes toward education in this country! Stop fooling yourselves into thinking that the problem lies elsewhere when it really lies within. And this is coming from a thoroughbred Bahamian, flesh and bone!" stated "True True Bahamian", on the post.
Another Tribune242.com commenter, under the name "Confused", said the view that Haitians outperform Bahamians is of no surprise.
"What I don't understand is why so many Bahamians are up in arms about this, as if this is something new! You know doggone well ya children ain't been doin' what they supposed to do in school! If you do not attend PTA meetings, check over home-work, ensure your children read over their notes from the day's lessons, pick up report cards on time or make time to visit schools and meet teachers to discuss your child's performance in school (whether good or bad), please close your mouths. You are not eligible to partake in this discussion until you fulfil your role as a responsible parent!"
Schools do not collate statistical data on the immigration status of students, as it is not necessary to be a citizen of the Bahamas to attend a public school. All legal residents are entitled to attend a government school in the district they live.
Minister Bannister said, "We don't want schools to be doing that job of looking to see who is this and that, even though statistics may be gathered at some stage. We don't want to turn principles into immigration officers."
Minister Bannister said he was confident that any Haitian student receiving awards in a public school did so based on merit and not any preferential treatment on the part of schools.
"Every parent should look at how his child is doing in school. If his child is not doing well that parent should make a commitment to make sure that child is getting more from him or her. For too long we look at national results and blame a politician for what is happening. We need to stop that and look at the reality of what is happening in our family and determine if we are living up to our responsibilities," he said.
Bahamian parents were advised to take an interest in the education of their children, by a Tribune242.com commenter.
"As a teacher this is no surprise. Haitian students and their families show more interest and value free education. Not only Haitians, but Chinese, Guyanese and Jamaicans are also top competitors.
"Our students have become consumed with material things. The core values of hard work and dedication are slowly dying. Bahamian parents, please, show interest, challenge your children,"
Her advice was to: "Get rid of the PlayStation and Wii. Get your child a book or Leapfrog. Unsubscribe from BET and MTV. Turn on Discovery and PBS! Save the money for Clarke's shoes: No 3.00 (grade point average) no Clarke's! Block Facebook and Youtube. Bookmark Discovery Network, National Geographic and Bahamas.com!"
July 19, 2010
tribune242
A political blog about Bahamian politics in The Bahamas, Bahamian Politicans - and the entire Bahamas political lot. Bahamian Blogger Dennis Dames keeps you updated on the political news and views throughout the islands of The Bahamas without fear or favor. Bahamian Politicians and the Bahamian Political Arena: Updates one Post at a time on Bahamas Politics and Bahamas Politicans; and their local, regional and international policies and perspectives.
Showing posts with label Bahamian sisters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bahamian sisters. Show all posts
Monday, July 19, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
FNM's Women's Association distances itself from senior FNM women's letter to Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham
FNM's Women's Association distances itself from letter to PM
By CANDIA DAMES ~ Guardian News Editor ~ candia@nasguard.com:
The Free National Movement's Women's Association made it clear yesterday that it had no part in a letter written to Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham late last month by a group of senior women in the FNM.
As reported by The Nassau Guardian yesterday, the women who wrote the letter had been trying to cause the appointment of former FNM minister Janet Bostwick as governor general.
The group of senior women also raised concerns about the "disappearance" of FNM women from prominent positions in national life.
The Women's Association said it respects the sole right and privilege of the prime minister to appoint the governor general and congratulated Sir Arthur Foulkes on his appointment to the highest office in the land.
"During his many years of distinguished public service, Sir Arthur helped to pave the way for the greater equality of all Bahamians, including that of women," the association said.
The FNM Women's Association acknowledged "the tremendous" record of Prime Minister Ingraham on behalf of all Bahamian women, including when his efforts were at times unpopular.
"This includes his appointment of women to many significant posts, as well as landmark legislation on a variety of issues related to the ending of discrimination against women," the statement said.
"The FNM Women's Association is proud of our own record and that of the broader FNM with regards to the empowerment of our Bahamian sisters. We will continue to advance the cause of women and families. In this regard, we will also continue to promote excellent female candidates for national office. We will do so as a united group, committed to the great ideals of our party and the values of our founders."
Former FNM Minister Theresa Moxey-Ingraham, who spoke in an interview with The Guardian yesterday, also recognized Sir Arthur's contributions to the party and the nation and stressed that the women who wrote the letter respect him highly and were not attacking him.
The letter was written more than two weeks before his appointment was announced and never mentioned his name. Moxey-Ingraham along with former MPs Italia Johnson (also the first female speaker), and Jaunianne Dorsett and other women in the party signed the letter.
"Sir Arthur has his place in Bahamian history," Moxey-Ingraham said yesterday. "He has his place in the building and forward development of our party and has his place in the hearts of all Bahamians. This was never meant to be an attack on him or his achievements in any way - not at all."
Explaining why the group of women wrote the letter to Ingraham, she said, "As a part of an organization we feel very strongly the need to express our opinion on any matter that is of relevance to our party. We've earned our place and earned the right to speak and we thought it important to do so. We didn't necessarily think we would change his (the prime minister's) opinion. In fact, as we all know, the appointment in many, many instances is the prime minister's appointment and we knew that an appointment had already been made. We felt the need to express how we felt about it."
Moxey-Ingraham said it is unacceptable that there is only one woman in Ingraham's Cabinet — Loretta Butler-Turner, minister of state for social development.
"We had a particular level of national profile and national prominence that has been diminished to a significant degree," she said. "Any empty FNM seats in the Senate have not been filled by women. The two ladies who departed from the Cabinet (Elma Campbell and Claire Hepburn) their positions were filled by men.
"Again, [this is] nothing to do with the achievements or the accomplishments of the men who filled those places. The whole idea though is that if we're talking about a nation where equality is of value then special effort needs to be made to bring women to levels of national prominence, and we are concerned about that in general."
Moxey-Ingraham recognized the role Ingraham played in the advancement of women in The Bahamas, but said the group who wrote to him wants affirmative action for women.
"We were very appreciative that he did respond and what he claimed in the letter is true; those are historical facts. He played a great role in promoting women to positions of prominence, positions of high responsibility and under his first administration women were highly prominent..." she said.
"We still want more. There is so much more to be achieved. Women have so much further to go and they will not be able to get there if they cannot at least get to the first step which is somebody acknowledging that you are worthy and worthwhile [to] move forward."
Asked to expand on the group's claim in its letter that Prime Minister Ingraham had callously dismissed a request for an audience with him, Moxey Ingraham said, "We consider ourselves serious enough. We consider our service serious enough and worthwhile enough to be granted an audience with the party leader... When you get the message back that indicates 'you're not important enough. I can't be bothered with you', that doesn't make you feel very good as a founding member, a prominent member, a serious, hard-working contributor over the years to a party.
"And from a party leader it left us very disappointed."
Moxey-Ingraham said she felt insulted and was not satisfied with the prime minister's response as he did not provide any assurances that this affirmative action will be adopted moving forward.
April 20, 2010
thenassauguardian
By CANDIA DAMES ~ Guardian News Editor ~ candia@nasguard.com:
The Free National Movement's Women's Association made it clear yesterday that it had no part in a letter written to Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham late last month by a group of senior women in the FNM.
As reported by The Nassau Guardian yesterday, the women who wrote the letter had been trying to cause the appointment of former FNM minister Janet Bostwick as governor general.
The group of senior women also raised concerns about the "disappearance" of FNM women from prominent positions in national life.
The Women's Association said it respects the sole right and privilege of the prime minister to appoint the governor general and congratulated Sir Arthur Foulkes on his appointment to the highest office in the land.
"During his many years of distinguished public service, Sir Arthur helped to pave the way for the greater equality of all Bahamians, including that of women," the association said.
The FNM Women's Association acknowledged "the tremendous" record of Prime Minister Ingraham on behalf of all Bahamian women, including when his efforts were at times unpopular.
"This includes his appointment of women to many significant posts, as well as landmark legislation on a variety of issues related to the ending of discrimination against women," the statement said.
"The FNM Women's Association is proud of our own record and that of the broader FNM with regards to the empowerment of our Bahamian sisters. We will continue to advance the cause of women and families. In this regard, we will also continue to promote excellent female candidates for national office. We will do so as a united group, committed to the great ideals of our party and the values of our founders."
Former FNM Minister Theresa Moxey-Ingraham, who spoke in an interview with The Guardian yesterday, also recognized Sir Arthur's contributions to the party and the nation and stressed that the women who wrote the letter respect him highly and were not attacking him.
The letter was written more than two weeks before his appointment was announced and never mentioned his name. Moxey-Ingraham along with former MPs Italia Johnson (also the first female speaker), and Jaunianne Dorsett and other women in the party signed the letter.
"Sir Arthur has his place in Bahamian history," Moxey-Ingraham said yesterday. "He has his place in the building and forward development of our party and has his place in the hearts of all Bahamians. This was never meant to be an attack on him or his achievements in any way - not at all."
Explaining why the group of women wrote the letter to Ingraham, she said, "As a part of an organization we feel very strongly the need to express our opinion on any matter that is of relevance to our party. We've earned our place and earned the right to speak and we thought it important to do so. We didn't necessarily think we would change his (the prime minister's) opinion. In fact, as we all know, the appointment in many, many instances is the prime minister's appointment and we knew that an appointment had already been made. We felt the need to express how we felt about it."
Moxey-Ingraham said it is unacceptable that there is only one woman in Ingraham's Cabinet — Loretta Butler-Turner, minister of state for social development.
"We had a particular level of national profile and national prominence that has been diminished to a significant degree," she said. "Any empty FNM seats in the Senate have not been filled by women. The two ladies who departed from the Cabinet (Elma Campbell and Claire Hepburn) their positions were filled by men.
"Again, [this is] nothing to do with the achievements or the accomplishments of the men who filled those places. The whole idea though is that if we're talking about a nation where equality is of value then special effort needs to be made to bring women to levels of national prominence, and we are concerned about that in general."
Moxey-Ingraham recognized the role Ingraham played in the advancement of women in The Bahamas, but said the group who wrote to him wants affirmative action for women.
"We were very appreciative that he did respond and what he claimed in the letter is true; those are historical facts. He played a great role in promoting women to positions of prominence, positions of high responsibility and under his first administration women were highly prominent..." she said.
"We still want more. There is so much more to be achieved. Women have so much further to go and they will not be able to get there if they cannot at least get to the first step which is somebody acknowledging that you are worthy and worthwhile [to] move forward."
Asked to expand on the group's claim in its letter that Prime Minister Ingraham had callously dismissed a request for an audience with him, Moxey Ingraham said, "We consider ourselves serious enough. We consider our service serious enough and worthwhile enough to be granted an audience with the party leader... When you get the message back that indicates 'you're not important enough. I can't be bothered with you', that doesn't make you feel very good as a founding member, a prominent member, a serious, hard-working contributor over the years to a party.
"And from a party leader it left us very disappointed."
Moxey-Ingraham said she felt insulted and was not satisfied with the prime minister's response as he did not provide any assurances that this affirmative action will be adopted moving forward.
April 20, 2010
thenassauguardian
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