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LOST YOUTHS
Justice Randall Worrell (FP)
Published on: 11/25/2009.
by HEATHER-LYNN EVANSON
AN 11-PLUS EXAM that merely "filters" children from primary to secondary school and parents who "spit out" children and "not look back" were two reasons put forward for a lost section in society.
And according to High Court judge Justice Randall Worrell, it all stems from the fact that Barbadian support systems of old are gone.
The judge was speaking as he dealt with two young men - one 19 and the other 20, each of whom has nearly 20 convictions - in the No. 5 Supreme Court yesterday.
Earlier this year, the two youngsters had pleaded to five counts of robbery and were back yesterday for sentencing.
Noting that there appeared to be a "whole section of society" that was lost, the judge said it was sad the only place where that lost section could get guidance was in prison.
"There is no real gauge by the 11-Plus. It just filters children from primary school to secondary school. It just passes them like leaves in a stream," said Justice Worrell.
He suggested that if a school or parent recognised a child was not gifted academically, then maybe that child could be channelled into sports or a trade.
Part of the problem, the judge continued, was parents who didn't care.
"You just spit out a child, and you don't even look back to see what is going on, regardless of how bad that child is? It is ridiculous, utterly ridiculous," Justice Worrell said.
"Nobody cares whether they [the children] get certificates. And then they just drift. They leave school; they are on the block where it seems as if they are told either they sell drugs or take drugs.
"It just shows the parents are the ones that really should be going to the value systems class," he said.
The value systems class is one of the courses offered in prison.
The judge said those young people then turned to crime to support their drug habits.
In addition, Justice Worrell noted he considered the ability to read a basic human right.
And any parent who failed to ensure his/her child had that basic human right was, in his books, guilty of a crime.
In the current case, the two young men set upon students of the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic, robbing them of their jewellery, money and cellphones.
32 comment found!
JOHN 14: 6 & OUR YOUTH : 12/4/2009
Indeed all of our problems are spiritual in orgin. Those of our precious youth are no exception. The Church has been appointed by the Lord Jesus Christ to do His work on earth. This means, among other things, that it is called to reach out to the youth as well as those who are badly spiritually wounded. And our youth are hurting. They need to hear that Jesus loves them so much, that He sacrificed His life on a cross so that they or anyone may be reconciled to His Father. Put another way, Jesus has paved the way for sinful mankind to "gree back" with GOD the Father. Once the youth are drawn by the Father and have received eternal life by faith in Jesus, they must be discipled, taught the ways of the Christian, what He expects from them, the resources which He has made available etc. Once the new convert begins/continues to read, study and apply what the Holy Spirit teaches him from the Holy Bible, a radical inner transformation takes place. New Christ-centered attitudes, values, beliefs etc. begin to take root in the new Believer's life. With the assistance of the Holy Spirit which now indwells him, he will refrain from engaging in the familiar vices common to man. His outlook on life is changed and he has a new purpose for living. As he is transformed, society is changed because GOD will see to it that he does not keep his new Salvation to himself. He will begin to influence his friends/associates/neighbors/family/co-workers for the Kingdom of GOD. He will then come off the block ceasing to be a permanent tenant because GOD Himself will let him know that "the end thereof is death." This is how we save the youth of B'dos or those living in any country for that matter. Mind you, the lives of all on the block may not be salvaged because some will erroneously and ignorantly reject a so-called White Jesus and His Salvation plan for all.
Re what Church : 12/2/2009
It's very disheartening reading your blog. Judging from what you have written I can tell that you are either an atheist or are ignorant of the word of God and the purpose of the church. First of all, God created two perfect human beings who rejected His counsel and caused all of us to be in this
sin cursed state we are in. Whether you believe it or not, we were born in sin and shapened in inquity because of Adam's disobedience. Jesus had to put off His deity and put on humanity and gave His life at calvary to deliver us from what we inherited from Adam. The church He placed in the earth to warn mankind about that nature they have received from Adam. (The Bible clearly states that in Adam all died but in Christ we are made alive). It's the church's job to reach out in our society and tell people that even though we were all born in sin we do not have to continue in sin because Jesus paid the price for our sins and He has the power to change us. If the church is not fulfulling it's role, God eventually will judge them but God works through His Body the church to bring about the needed changes in our lives and in our society. No amount of programs put out there can fix the behavior of these children apart from God. It's spiritual. I am certain that if you have children and you were watching them from babes upwards that one day you saw or heard them say something out of character that no one every told them to say. Guess where it came from - out of that carnal nature they inherited from Adam. I trust that one day what I have said would become real to you. Our children need a relationship with the Lord Jesus. Parents have failed them as well as the church but Jesus will not fail them.
lost youths : 12/2/2009
The time has come when the society as a whole takes responsibility for its future (youths), but instead society is caught up in materialism. Women are having children and they do give them the best of everything in the form of brand name clothes, latest techological gadgets and in turn miss the point of good upbringing. Teachers can hardly chastise a child without the parent(s) attending the school, not to resolve the reason for the childs discilpine, but instead to beat up on teachers. Those of you who think that the church is irrelevant because it highlights us being sinners, you are the ones that can't stand the truth; it is not only in third world countries that we are strong followers of our faith, all that is needed is for you people that are not aware of other religions international is to become aware. The church does has it part to play in highlighting the ills of man and instilling morals in our youths and general public; church is an institution within our society, and as I stated earlier: society is responsible for its own demise. The failure of reforms programmes in another country does not mean that the same programme will fail in Barbados, other factors would need to be look at when a plan of action fails or appear to be failing. Internationally people have become worshippers of so called celebrities and money. These are the measuring sticks by which our youths measure self worth. I am sure the smallest child can give yuo a running account of the "famouse people" in the music and movie industry, and sing the latest lyrics along with telling you how much money anyone of the so called stars is making, but ask them a general knowledge question or recite something from the holy book, and I guarantee that less than 20% of our total young population would be able to answer the latter question. CELEBRITY STATUS AND MATERIALISM is all that is portrayed to be good and must have, hence, education and morals take a back seat, because hard work is advocated as a waste of time. Therefore the motto has become that of get rich fast or die trying. Thus, crime has become a lucrative trade. In order to redirect our youths the following should be review: policing laws need reviewing, the school system needs reviewing, government policies needs reviewing, parenting needs reviewing; in fact every aspect of our society needs reviewing before we can pinpoint the cause of our failing youths. Once society has undergone this review of its ills and disseminate its findings, then a plan of action can take effect. If there is no hope for the future and its guardians, then something is drastically wrong with the present mentors of that future.
Bajan living abroad
Lost youths : 12/2/2009
They are not lost if ,yes, the churches would go out to the neighborhoods and find these youths, searching for guidance and the teaching about the Laws and rules of life- saving- choices. Teaching the 10 commandments and the Lord's prayer etc. The youth need to know that someone cares.
Lost youths : 12/2/2009
I constantly call on the churches to give as much as they possibly can because there go I but for the Pilgrim Holiness church. A small wooden building at that time in my life, under the leadership of one Ms. Plilomena Dummet (from Guiana)who enticed the youth to regular meetings every Friday evenings .This replaced a mother's influence(she died when I was but 9 years old)Yes,I was "spat out"being fathered by by an unreachable."(don't knock us) I give full benefit to my CHURCH for its influence in my life.
BOYS LOST : 12/1/2009
SO TRUE THE PARENTS HAVE TO DO THERE PART BUT AS THE OLDS FOLKS SAY U CAN TAKE THE COW TO THE WATER U CAN MAKE HIM DRINK
LAY THE BLAME WHERE IT BELONGS : 12/1/2009
It is indeed quite sad that are “Youth” has to be jailed before they can be taught their self worth but who is to be blamed? I say society in a whole. Justice Worrell blames the 11+ exam but does he have an alternative? The 11+ has been in existence for years and if Worrell sees it as an “ill” to the youth then let him come up with a better way. He blames the parents and yes parents have a responsibility to their children in making sure that their fundamental needs are met and that includes education. However, parents often times go above and beyond to ensure that their children succeed but yet these same children defile their parents’ logic. He blames the youth and yes much of the blame lies with the individual, even though sometimes these individuals are so lost they cannot comprehend the consequences of their actions. Our society needs to be proactive, to ensure that our youth is given a chance to excel. Our children should stay in school until they reach the age of 18…No child should be out of school before the age of 18. If they are not academically inclined then they should be taught the various trades. When our children opted for the “block” instead of attending school this is when Justice Worrell should be sending them off to jail where the value based class is taught. Not after they have become menace to society and themselves. Give all the children the same 18 years in school…trade or otherwise ..to develop their self worth…and that will give them less time to be in the streets contemplating crimes.
Just simply fooling ourselves and almost everyone else : 11/30/2009
How long will it take for us to see that all of the reforms that we are copying from countries with a far a far greater fall out mess than ours will bring us no more success than it has brought them. How long before we recognise that the problem we have is not one requiring reforms but a transformation. Reforms cannot change the inside. That requires a transformation. Reforms are externals which are still dependent on what has been done internally.
Understand too, that the church is not the answer. They are floundering just as much as the wider society. They too have lost their way because they are also about reforms. Jesus, in fact, is the answer. He transforms. I have seen many whose lives have been made purposeful and meaningful after a genuine encounter with Christ. My father was one such person.
I know that this is seen as just mere madness but a society of brilliant Greeks will continue to seek wisdom and not find it even though it stands in the midst of them. We have become too bright to accept the simple but yet profound truth. The lives of many professing Christians are making it no less difficult for the wider society to accept the truth about our condition. They are driven by an avarice that competes with them that hold to no such profession.
I am in agreement with the High Court Judge. Our system needs to be overhauled. Parents need to be made aware that they have a responsibility beyond just merely dropping children. The laws of the country must be enforced to bring them to the painful understanding that to obstruct the rights of the child to an education is punishable under that law. Parents must be forced to acknowledge that school is not a baby sitting institution to afford them the time for their various vices but is in fact a place of learning. They must value education above and beyond their estimation of the holding station they treat as school. The point is that many parents see the value of school as a place to hold their children but not a place of education.
Filters only cream off the top and what is left is just thrown to the dogs (those whose bent is to destroy the lives of our greatest investment, our youth, our male youth especially).
My foolish advice is let us take heed. This problem will not be resolved in the board rooms, or in parliament or even the edifices we call church but it will take a combination of enforcing the existing laws as well as being our brother's keeper.
Society does not change the man. The man makes the society. There is a difference between reforms and transformation.
Just one more fool who believes that Jesus is the answer. He transforms the man who then influences the society for the better.
Stewart Russell
What Church! : 11/28/2009
I often wonder why we see the church as the arbiter of morality and good self-esteem when in practice it has been evidently quite the opposite. The first thing youth learn in church is that they are no good,dirty sinners and were born so, no matter how nice and well mannered they may be, they are rotten, no good sinners inside, their very attempt to be righteous is like filthy rags; how about that for building good self esteem. even when they do come to Jesus they have to keep on asking him to wash and purge them them as they are never really clean enough and can sin quite easily in word, thought and deed. No wonder the only people who are still looking to the church for answers (and are angry at those of us who are not afraid to face the reality of the irrelevance of that institution) are people in the so called third world.
Correct : 11/27/2009
The judge is correct in placing the blame for these children where it belongs and it's on the parents. This is not to say that some children regardless of how well they are trained does not rebel. But for the most part, if they are grounded on a solid foundation, it's very unlikely that the values they were taught would change. Many years ago almost every parent in Barbados, regardless of how hard life was, wanted a good education for their children. It is because of them that many of us have prospered and are where we are today. However, those values have been disappearing today and immorality has been abounding to such an extent that children are getting children; there are no parental skills and society is left to deal with this scourge. Also the sludge that is filtering into our society on the internet, X-rated movies, etc., is mind boggling. There is only so much that the government can do. Our churches have been very silent on a host of these issues affecting our society. Unfortunately God has given then this task to teach and preach His word uncompromisingly to all that have ears. To reach out to these young people and help them to understand that they were born into the earth with purpose and that their bodies are the temple of the living God. They should not allow themselves to be lured into illicit activities that dishonours God and themselves. The church also has the right to ask the government to close some of these video stores that are selling pornographic movies to our youth. These are some of the things that are destroying the minds of our youth and will bring a reproach against our nation if this is not stopped. If the church does not assume her role in our society and continues to remain silent, when God says 'she should be as bold as a lion' we can continue to expect serious decay in our society.
Lost Youths : 11/27/2009
We are always looking for someone to blame,how about personal responsibility. When a child reaches the teenage years they know right from wrong and displays behavior of their own choosing.
The best a parent can do is try to live their life in a decent manner and hope the child do the same.
Judges are equally responsible for some of the continued bad behavior displayed, because they seem to be lenient on the first offence. If they give the maximum penalty for the first offence it is highly unlikely that they would be a second offence. Thank you
It's About Face : 11/27/2009
The chances of this being published in our unbiased, leading local paper are slim, but here goes anyway.
I think the judge is correct in laying at least part of the blame for the crisis among Barbadian youths at the foot of the 11+.
I would go further, and say that our entire education system, right through to university level - perhaps especially there, is in need of profound reform.
It was at the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies, that I heard a prominent regional academic argue in defence of "elitism", equating it, as I recall with "the pursuit of academic excellence", or some such thing.
What that academic and others in the UWI fraternity seem incapable of grasping is that academic advancement can become just as corrupting as the mindless pursuit of "bling" and other material things.
They fail to appreciate that the lying, stealing, character assassination and other acts of direct and indirect violence in which academics engage in pursiut of promotion, "tenure" and other benefits is equally as reprehensible as the lying, stealing, character assassination and direct and indirect violence that uneducated persons engage in to get material wealth or social recognition.
Somewhere in this newspaper's or its main competitor's archives is an article by regional academic Velma Pollard (I think that's the name) entitled "It's About Face".
In that discourse, the author addresses the issue of social prestige or acceptance - the respect - that we all seek as human beings.
It is my view that the Caribbean's elitist educational systems bestow this prestige without SUFFICIENT regard to the inculcation of the moral underpinning that separates a silver-tongued, sociopathic psychotic individual, from an honest, hard-working person.
A sufficient regard for the impartation of moral principles would oblige UWI to be more rigorous in its requirement for its own personnel to exemplify values of truthfulness, temperance, humility and the like, that are so sadly lacking among many (not all) of our youth.
It would require a more rigourously, thorough-going, authenticly HUMANE engagement of educators at all levels with those they propose to teach.
It would require a recognition by educators that we are all learning, continuously, despite whatever level of academic achievement we achieve.
I will leave that there...for now.
Rest assured that I will be continuing this elsewhere.
Junior Campbell (Bajan in de UK)
LOST YOUTH : 11/26/2009
There's enough blame to go around in searching for reasons to explain why many of our youth are lost souls. We may point to poor parenting skills, doting mothers who indulge their sons in foolishness, irresponsible and far too often absentee dads, the influence of foreign culture,an educational system in need of revamping,use/abuse of illicit drugs, not having jobs,laziness, classism and the like. But there's more to it than that. Have you ever noticed that as a people, we're very long on enunciating problems but short on proposing possible solutions? It goes without saying that no human being has all the solutions to ur problems, for if he/she did, that person could be quite fairly be considered a God. By the way, I've always had problems with the popular proverb,"It takes a village to raise a child." While there were some good people living in the neighborhood where I grew up, they were also some vile, wretched people who would corrupt anyone with whom they interacted. Perhaps, the saying should be perhaps, "It takes good people to raise a good child." Solutions next time.
Blame the women : 11/26/2009
When a woman spends more time shopping for a dress than shopping for a father, I think I now know why we have so many bad black kids. Too many women are having kids with irresponsible men, some of these men don’t even have a job, but women are still becoming pregnant by these losers. The fathers are no more than sperm donors and society becomes responsible for providing for these kids, Society also becomes the victim of their crimes. I really don’t blame the sperm donor; I actually blame the reckless women who don’t plan to become pregnant, but wakes up one morning pregnant.
I do support a law that would prosecute “parents” for their teenager’s crimes.
Society shouldn’t have to pay for your mistakes!!
Stop blaming the 11+ : 11/26/2009
I don't know why people keep on blaming the 11+ for everything! I went to Combermere and some of my classmates wasted their educational opportunities and are in prison or on their way there. On the other hand many others took full advantage and went on to higher education and are employed in high level positions here and abroad.
The same can be said of students that went to say St. George Secondary. Most of the students there only score as high as 15% on the common entrance, but some of them come out with certificates and go onto higher education and become employed in high level positions or even become entrepreneurs. Meanwhile there are some students that again waste the opportunities granted to them at school and come out to become the dredges of society.
It is not the 11+ that failed these students, but their upbringing half of the time. The other half of the time, the children are brought up well at home but still are led astray by bad company.
We keep on blaming the 11+, but up to now no one has ever brought forward a viable alternative to it.
: 11/26/2009
oh please!!! Sylvester Forde!... get over yourself! we as bajans know that ...(spitting out children )is a phrase that we bajans use when frustrated and talking about women and children I am a woman and I use it too.geeze man.
Lost youths : 11/25/2009
What does the 11 plus exam have to do with these children committing crime. My brother did not pass and he is a productive member of society. Look to the parents who have turned their backs on the children and became their friends instead of their mother and father.
Lost Youths : 11/25/2009
(Response to Sylvester's comment). Although I agree with you that Justice Worrell could have chosen different words when referring to women giving birth to children that end up taking the wrong path, I think he was really just expressing his frustration with the lack of guidance from a parent.
Having said that, I think fathers need to take some responsibility here. Infact, I am sure there were no fathers in the lives of those two young men. Our children need both parents to play a role in their lives and help guide them into adulthood. There is an archaic belief in our society that it is a mother's responsibility to raise children, while the fathers carry on with their lives. That way of thinking needs to change.
: 11/25/2009
While i agree with most of what the judge said, i do disagree with him for saying that the 11+ exams, is to be blamed for children falling on the wayside. The Bible said that a parent has a duty to train up a child in the right way. Many parents in this society are allowing their children to "call the shots". This happens from as early as 1 year old. For instance, a parent may take a child out, and the child says he wants X. Even if that thing isn't nutritious for that child, or the parent cannot afford it, the parent still goes out of his/her way to give it to the child. So what can we expect when that child becomes older??? Additionally, many of the parents, especially the mothers, are children themselves, who don't know how to raise a child. Perhaps, the powers that be, can educate the youths in society of the importance of waiting until they are more mature, to have children. Sir, without the 11+, many poor people's children will never get the opportunity to attend the top schools. Also, their are many in society, who did not attend the "top schools", but yet they made a good name for themselves and society. It all boils down to the mind of the individual.
LOST YOUTHS : 11/25/2009
The point (11-Plus Exam) cited by Judge Worrell is a product of the main cause of the rapid decline in the society. The principle issue is the continuing practice of Class Discrimination in Barbados. This epidemic was vigorously addressed by Leaders in Society during the late 1950s & 1960s.
One will recall that the First Prime Minister of the Independent Barbados established a number of new Secondary Schools and extended the school-leaving age. The decisions lead to a narrowing of the gap between Upper and Lower Educated Classes in Society. It should also be noted, that The Barbados Technical Institute contributed significantly to the further bridging of the gap referred to above.(The Police Commissioner is a Graduate of this Institution amongst other prominent personalities in the better society).
The Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic should not be regarded as the last resort before possible conduct leading to Prison. The level of its curriculum may require review to reestablish a higher level of all-round tuition, while maintaining Trades and Craft focus.
I do agree with most commentators that there is need for a comprehensive reassessment of the current Educational System. However, any revised system must be designed to address the Class Discrimination Stigma (CDS).
To highlight the point I am making on CDS, I am aware that those guilty of practicing such behaviour, would want to know which of the established higher educational institutions I attended in Barbados before they consider my comments on the subject of Lost Youths. To answer their query: None. I only attended The Barbados Technical Institute (1964-1969).
LOST YOUTHS : 11/25/2009
The educational system needs a revamp, half the things you learn in school are not used in adult life. Surely children can learn things that can better their daily lives. As well as sex education children should learn about the major responsibilities of raising children, the care and commitment needed to go into this and the fact that their entire life is no longer their own but revolves around the child. Perhaps then we may have less young individuals wanting to be parents so early without the relevant skills, abilities and finances to rear that young life. School should be teaching our young these things, obviously something is amiss. Perhaps they also need to know the basics of building proper and lasting relationships too. These are the things that need to be passed onto the next generation that parents themselves are not passing on, perhaps because they don't know themselves.
Get serious about irresponsible parents : 11/25/2009
We have organisations such as Paredos offering counselling in parenting skills and which are under-utilised in my opinion. I have long felt that the Court with all it's power should make it mandatory that parents who neglect, abuse or abandon their children, should be subjected to parental and psychological counselling. There should be joint and individual sessions with both. The recalcitrant parents or the ones who continue to be irresponsible should then join the value system class in prison. I once soke of this and got a slap in the face with a response that parent have to work. I worked then too 24/7's. How about those parents giving up the theatre time, beach time and dance time on Sat and Sunday evenings to attend an important class for their own benefit and that of their children. The Court and Social Services has the best advantage in advising the AG on the urgency of legislation to curb this irresposibility. If not, one day we'll wake up and find all our youth in prison.
Re: Sylvester Forde : 11/25/2009
What the Judge means is that many women are just making children for the sake of making them, without knowing that they have an obligation to them. I see nothing difficult or wrong with that.
Well said Judge.
randall : 11/25/2009
hi randall if you are reading this its your canadian friend from st joseph..saying hi and keep up the good work.
Sorry!!!! : 11/25/2009
Personnaly i believe it is the unfaithfullness of Generations that have not pass unto the next God's love,providence,laws and forgiveness.Now we are feeling those effects seriously and it will continue until we get it right.Let me remind you also that the Devil got but such a short time and his plans have just got bigger,more skillful and mean,my pray is that Barbados make a 180 degree turn to God and the land will be heal,of course judgement begins first in the house of the Lord.
JUDGE RANDALL : 11/25/2009
you are so right lets give both parents the same time in prison for the crime of they childrens after studying each case and what effort that parent try toi get that child on tract thats the only way they can escape dodds this is only a test if it was the law i whould have it on the books
: 11/25/2009
Well said, but what can be done?
Those women with all those children are ignorant people who did not think of the children, it was about survival, the wrong way.
The men who breed them are shiftless sperm donors who behave in an animal fashion, just watch how animals hump and walk away satisfied but humans can't do that, we are supposed to be thinkers, knowing there are consequences. Igonarance is NOT bliss, it is a curse.
LOST YOUTHS : 11/25/2009
A lot of parents need educating on the best way of dealing with children. I am saying this as a parent myself who never really received any guidance from my parents as to how to raise my child and as a child who never received loved, attention, encouragement or support instead I received a lot of criticism and being put down. This in itself damages the child's self-esteem and can have devastating effects on a child's life chances. I was one that was told I "should be seen and not heard" and was a very frustrated teenager and young adult until I started educating myself and realised that a lot of things that my parents told me were only their thoughts and opinions and not reality. To this day, as a girl child I have progressed and bettered myself and understand some of the issues that children go through and face with parents who lacked "good parenting" themselves. Our knowledge gets passed on to the next generation and this is causing problems today as parents tend to treat their children how they were treated and if this has been in negative ways, that is what is passed on. Some people say it did them no harm however, I would say it did me a lot of harm and time had to be spent to build up my self esteem myself. In addition, parents have to accept that they are only human and do make mistakes and it would start the healing process if some actually admitted that they make mistakes but sadly as the authority figures - they don't, so the child is always left thinking that they are wrong or bad which just exacerbates situations. A two-way communicative relationship needs to be built between parent and child so each can see how situations are affecting each other and also to understand each other better. Parenting is not a one-way road where parents dish out discipline or criticism. They can balance things by praise and encouragement when the child does good. We should try and build relationships where both parent and child are working together for the best and good of those involved.
Lost Youths : 11/25/2009
I continue to hear the term used Lost Youth even the Justice Worrell is using the term. This term is just another way to dismiss our young people. However, I do agree with him that the parents should play a more vital role in their lives and do not wait till they get to the courts to decide what needs to be done, then it will be too late. I also agree that an eduaction is the fundamental right of an individual not only is education good for the individual but for society as a whole. I also agree that children should be streamed based on they talent, academics, trade, sports etc. but they should still know the basics, reading, writing, spelling, etc. no matter where they go they will need the basics. I think every child should be leaving primary school with Life Skills. Not only is the Life Skills good for the children, some parents of the children need it too. When children go down the wrong road and get in trouble, I strongly believe the parents also need coaching, counselling,training or what have you because the children are going back into the same homes to repeat the same behaviour. The counselling, coaching needs to be a family oriented affair.
Some youths think they know everything there is to know in life but most adults know this is not true, simply because of the bad decisions they make from misguided information. Barbados I challenge you to each one teach one. Lift up our youth today and always, We need to get back the proverb it takes a village to raise a child.
Build the youths for the future and not build the future for the youth. Each youth has a responsibilty and duty of service inside of them. We have to stop giving the material things especially when they do not earn it. I am very passionate about helping our young people. I will continue to prayer for the youth of Barbados and around the world.
Its Not That Simple : 11/25/2009
To suggest that the 11 Plus exam may be the reason behind 2 individuals that took the wrong path is too easy a way out in my opinion. There may be a need to re-think an antiquated educational system such as ours and ask if it is still relevant, but like in any system we select, there will be positives and negatives. One can also conclude that some students who perform well at the 11 plus are criminal minded and are the ones caught in "white" collar crime. Others that may have performed moderately are caught "in between" in both violent and non-violent crime. At the end of the day its the individual and the choices they make.
A stronger argument, in my opinion, is that the educational system needs a radical revamp to address the country's immediate and future socio-economic needs. The problem with crime and violance is much more complex than the judge suggested, but his point has lots of merit and I am glad that he has brought the issue to the forefront.
Finally, this is more political than one can imagine and I see no one on the island besides the emotinal reactionaries that are willing to force the issue. This is a bear in itself to wrestle and can destroy a political party or ruin a government in office. BUT the judge has a point that crime and ciminals is out of hand and the fundemental/underlying reasons have to be identified and addressed.
Excellent artticle which needs a follow-up.. Can someone ask the Permanent Secretary for Education his/her thoughts and publish them for us to review? I think this is reasonable to ask.
Sorry for rambling but I felt this issue is important enough for us to have an honest discussion.
Peter Massiah
Hartford CT
Attended Community High and did not do so well on the 11 plus exam.
lost youth : 11/25/2009
parents and teachers are to blame .because when the child is in school and u see it is not to standard call the parent but no some sit down an tell them i got my degree so u could stay there u will end up in dods so there and then it stay with them secondary level same thing so ministry u going to school and see that
Lost youths : 11/25/2009
Justice Worrell, though I comprehend the gravity of crimininality that permeates our society, I still cannot digest the methophorical language used to express your digust with our youth. Justice Worrell, how can a WOMAN/LADY, "spit out a child" ? This just seem so demeaning to our women.
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