Government Contributing To The Brain Drain?

It is customary for foreign private companies to recruit teachers to work in their countries. However the Jamaican government demonstrates that they have no qualms of contributing to the brain drain. The government’s classified education advertisement requests for 59 English language teachers to teach in China. Now, sending 59 of the best who make it through the selection process means that there will be 59 vacancies to teach a subject that requires experienced teachers. In their deal with China, did the government not consider that the high vacancies would mean that Jamaican students would be deprived of some of the best English Language educators who will be taking their talents elsewhere? What was this deal between the Chinese and the Jamaican governments in exchange for? It certainly could not be an exchange for Chinese Science teachers!!?? So, we continue to see the outcomes of sinister dealings between the Chinese and Jamaican governments.

Foreign Teachers, Think Twice Before Applying for U.S. Teaching Jobs

Many foreign teachers are fed-up with pay and other issues affecting teachers in their countries. So, they are enticed by international employment agencies such as RIC Search Group who has been advertising for teachers to come to work in the USA. However, these teachers must beware of the fine prints of the high costs and other expectations that will be required if they apply. First, the steep US$150 is non-refundable so this so-called processing fee will be lost if the teacher does not meet the agency's requirements. Further, once the teacher is accepted, the company assesses fees for the most minute services for at least two years and that will certainly leave the teacher living from hand-to-mouth for a long time even after the contract with the agency is terminated. It is also important to mention that foreign teachers will be assigned to the worst schools that are unfortunately located within the inner city. By the way, native born Americans often do not care to take such teaching positions, and if they do, many do not stick around for a long time.  So, time and effort will not be spent teaching but in addressing serious behavioral problems that foreign  teachers are not used to dealing with especially since the culture is different from their own. This difficulty is very stressful and can sometimes lead to a medical issues. So, think twice before applying for teaching jobs in the USA. Don't jump from the frying pan into the fire! The following website gives a clear picture of the issues that a foreign teacher may face.
http://www.examiner.com/article/foreign-teachers-take-u-s-teaching-jobs

Dr. Errol Morrison and Easton Douglas - Irresponsible Appointment Gone Wrong

The ongoing UTech problems are not surprising.  It was just a matter of time for Dr. Errol Morrison's ineffective leadership to become intolerable. Dr. Morrison is a physician and well known locally for his specialty in addressing diabetes issues. However, when his name was announced in 2007 to assume the responsibility as president of a learning institution, there was skepticism on his knowledge and ability to lead such a prominent university. This is just one of the many leadership appointments that are given based on politics and friendship to people who simple have no knowledge or experience to successfully do a good job outside of their comfort zone. Instead, they have to rely on the knowledge of experts who eventually get tired of being used and not getting any recognition. With time on the hands of inexperienced appointees, their idle minds lead to no good. So, quite often, an autocratic leadership style along with illegal and deceptive practices will occur, as in the case of UTech.
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20140312/lead/lead2.html

Easton Douglas ..............he made his intentions clear during his CVM interview on the program, "Direct" with Garfield Burford, when he defiantly argued that as the Managing Director for NHT's board of Directors, he must  have an office in the NHT building to oversee the day-to-day operations of the institution??!!  So far four prominent, well-respected  board members have resigned, and this lack of confidence demonstrates Douglas's inability to lead the board. If he cannot lead a board, then his desire to be the CEO of the institution would certainly present a problem. But, in a desire for power, it is difficult to see such shortcomings.

$117.825 Million Dollar Travel Expenses For Jamaican Prime Minister And Ministers

Portia Simpson and her cabinet should be a shame of themselves! Jamaica is experiencing severe financial crisis with high unemployment and continuous increases in basic items yet these government leaders see no reason to show any sympathy for the struggles of the people and the economy. They continue to live off tax payers and show no sign that they intend to cutback with their expensive lifestyle. Not only does Portia brag at spending  millions on foreign travel, she cannot account for the specific outcomes from her unnecessary trips. Hopefully foreign lenders are taking a note of how these Jamaican leaders are squandering money for personal gains instead of using it to the benefit of the country.

Shaggy & Friends - Neyo's Lip Syncing Performance

Shaggy and friends 2014 once again achieved its main purpose of securing well needed funds for sick, needy children at the Bustamante Children's Hospital. Getting to the show, however, was a great inconvenience for many who had to simply leave their cars  at the side of the road and trek through the long traffic jam to the venue. Nevertheless, the show was too long with some unnecessary performers, and the scheduled appearance of the acts seemed disorganized. The main act appeared in the middle of the concert while less popular acts came on stage thereafter. The act, however, that should be singled out is Neyo's. He is mainly known to the R & B community, and a better performance was expected from him. Certainly, he could not have been paid for lip syncing to recorded music while dancing around the stage!!??  Patrons and sponsors deserved better than that poor unacceptable rendition.

Government Minister Job Review

Position:                    Government Minister

Experience:  

Experience is not necessary to be appointed to head a government ministry. Also, prior involvement in corruption or under-performance in a previous government position will not deter appointment to a ministerial position. Emphasis in appointment is given to a close association with the prime minister rather than experience.

Duties:

• Rely on the knowledge of experienced staff and consultants to carry out daily duties.
•  Feed of  the expertise of experienced staff and consultants to negotiate for loans or foreign investment.
• Engage in continuous self-promotion by participating in video and photo opportunities at private or public functions, conferences along with associating themselfves with athletes and others who are regarded as “famous”.

Education:                 
                      A tertiary level education is .not a requirement but is helpful

Benefits:                               

·         salary ranges $4,000,000 to $5,000,000  or higher

·         Multi-million dollar housing in upscale neighborhood

·         generous housing allowance

·         staff to attend to residence and a driver

·         latest model luxury car.

·         substantial bonus for selling out any government owned entity   to foreign companies.

·         substantial bonus for signing loans and foreign investments.

·         travelling the world under the pretense of engaging in            international business. 

·         travelling first class on commercial carriers with an entourage that includes family members.

·         Occupying luxury hotel accommodations, dining at expensive restaurants, and shopping at high end stores both locally and internationally

·         Maintaining a lavish lifestyle with taxpayers money

Other Requirements:           

• an ability to coerce voters with no intention of following through with campaign promises
•  ability to use tax payers funds for personal gains  without conscience
•  ability to engage in negotiations on behalf of the country with no accountability to the public  on the details of the discussions
•  The ability to demonstrate a lack of conscience for those burdened by continuous increases due to the fact that the minister will not have to pay for the use of these essentials while in public office.   

                                   

Portmore Municipal County - Shame On You

CVM aired a news story tonight on Portmore Municipal County's removal of huge mounds of earth around the Greater Portmore area. An articulate resident made known that the top soil was being removed for an housing development. He also clearly explained the issues that have existed with the removal of so much earth so close to the neighborhood. Among the concerns are the flooding of the land when it rains since there is a pond nearby. Also, another major concern is that the earth removal has caused more alligators to gravitate towards the neighborhood thereby causing the residents to live in fear. No, Mr. Acting Mayor, these concerns are certainly not mischievious. With news cameras buzzing around the neighborhood, it is no wonder that Leon Thomas, the acting mayor, had to come up with an excuse. The lame excuse is that they are only bushing and clearing empty lots to prevent an eyesore. Quite frankly, it is not difficult to communicate information that has the citizens's best interest at heart. So, it would not have been difficulty to alert the residents that the land would be bushed, and this explanation would have helped to prevent such confusion that now exists with residents.  However, when scheming, back-door deals are made, there is never any intention to communicate with the public.  Another example of taking the public for granted