Corrupt Principal Promotion Policies

Recently, Professor Paul Miller, a United Kingdom based educator, wrote an article on the corrupt practices of selecting school principals in Jamaica. He indicated that the process has been flawed for many years. Professor Miller is correct in his research findings as noted in the link below. Corruption is a societal ill in Jamaica, and the education system is no exception. The article emphasizes that the corruption stems from the member of parliament; however, a great deal of the corruption initiates from the Ministry of Education that will only employ persons for high-level administrative positions if these candidates are socially connected to an influential relatives or friends who are known throughout Jamaica. So, there is no wonder that the Ministry of Education's nepotism practices will trickle down to the hiring of principals. Nevertheless, the death of a young girl late last year at the Prickly Pole Primary school in  St. Ann' clearly shows a principal's inability to lead when she along with the board's director arranged for students and parents to take a bus to participate in a political demonstration against their Member of Parliament, Lisa Hanna. This irresponsible behavior is a minor example of the incompetence of not only many principals but also the members politically selected to serve on school boards. But, unfortunately, such biased selection for these important positions ultimately affects the students who will not have a chance to to their best with incompetent leadership.

Principal Prejudice - Corrupt Promotion Policies Hurting Jamaica's Education System, Claims Professor

Remnants of British Colonialism After Country's Independence

Anyone looking at the above picture who do not know what the Queen's Counsel (QC) is all about may initially think that the blond head wear shown in the photo appears strange or funny or ridiculous or some other unflattering thoughts may come to mind. Even those who may be familiar with what the Queen's Counsel is all about have made unkind comments on news media blogs about the head wear that symbolizes the British colonial system. The fact is that these two individuals in the picture are well-known, successful attorneys-at-law who are associated with high-level or well-known court cases. However, in spite of the questionable nomination practices for Queen's Counsel socially-connected applicants by their affluent, influential relatives or friends, it is high time for countries that gained their independence from England over 50 years ago to break away from the symbolic, old-fashioned British colonial practices that do not relate to the modern customs of the country.  It is time for these "independent" nations to develop their own national practices that recognizes high-level barristers instead of hanging on to another country's traditions. Hong Kong, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and Zambia have all made efforts to reform this Queen's Counsel legal practice to a system that is more in line with their national traditions. Reform, however, will quite likely not come any time soon to nations such as Jamaica since many in the legal community, especially those already designated as QCs, will not want to give up the high-profile status or elite mentality or high remuneration that is associated with this acronym that is placed behind their names.

Portmore Needs Hospital Not Cemetary

Portmore's acting Mayor, Errol Crosby, has made his case for a cemetery to be constructed in the city. Certainly, a city with an estimated population of 300,000 will eventually need a cemetery. However, the acting mayor should place his priorities on the living citizens who are in dire need of a full functioning hospital especially during late night emergencies when doctors' offices are closed. It is inexcusable and a shame that such a major city has no hospital but unhealthy fast-food franchises may be seen at every turn on Portmore streets. In the long run, it is important to provide necessary services to people while they are living – not after they are dead.

JAMEXIT - CARICOM Passport Has No Use To Jamaicans

Here we go again...another incident in Trinidad and Tobago where Jamaicans were treated poorly. In this matter, the Jamaican women entering the country were made to sleep on a hard floor and given only a bottle of water before deporting them back to Jamaica. This kind of disrespectful reaction to Jamaicans is not a typical reaction that would be shown to immigrants from CARICOM countries who enter Jamaica. Such incidents generate the question as to why Jamaica, the most popular and dominant English speaking country of all the Caribbean countries, should continue to issue CARICOM passports or remain a full fledge or even a member of CARICOM. The Jamaica Manufacturing Association (JMA) also presents a list of concerns that the Jamaican exporters experience while doing business with Trinidad. The treatment of Jamaicans by CARICOM countries in general does not indicate that these countries want to engage with Jamaica in working towards a unified Caribbean. It clearly shows that most islands that are separated from Jamaica by their south eastern location want to maintain a close relationship with people in that region but not with Jamaica that is located in the distant north western region. Furthermore, while Bahamas is not located in the eastern region of the Caribbean and is not considered a full fledge member of CARICOM, it, as a Caribbean nation, is renown for its draconian treatment towards not only Jamaicans but people of other Caribbean countries since others are not considered "Bahamian" even by birth. For Jamaica, it is full time to review the CARICOM agreement and disassociate with the regions in the aspects of the agreement that are simply not working. It is time to move on!

School Challenge Quiz Showcases Outstanding Students from All Schools

The overall impression after release of the GSAT results is that, for the most part, a great number of the highest scoring students throughout the country are placed at Campion College. Campion College has come a long way from its former days as a private boys only school when it was not a popular choice among boys unless they were not successful in the Common Entrance Exam. The same feelings applied to girls who would not generally want to go to its sister school, St. Peters & Paul. So, both were the schools of last resort if students did not secure a place at their primary choice schools, St. Georges College or Immaculate Conception High School. However, today, Campion College is considered an elite high school and a popular choice among hundreds of thousands of students. This influential school is known for its state-of-the art equipment and well maintained facilities unlike other high schools where students may not have proper equipment, the facilities are dilapidated, and they may have to carry around their chairs since furniture is lacking in many classrooms. Nevertheless, the School Challenge Quiz, clearly demonstrate that the best and brightest students do not all gravitate to Campion College. The competition shows that there are outstanding students enrolled in other corporate area high schools and also rural schools. While these schools may not have picturesque surroundings and a college campus-like atmosphere similar to Campion College, they are still producing, through the dedication of hard-working teachers, the best and brightest students who are expected to excel in their future endeavors. Congratulations Tichfield High School on your 2016 School Challenge Championship win!

Dental Hygienists Working As Dentists

Too often when people go to dental offices in certain Jamaican communities, they are greeted by a receptionist who may also serve as the dental hygienist or, believe it or not, they may even take on the responsibilities of the dentist. Far too many dentists are opening up offices in these communities but are no where to be found at these offices during the important daytime working hours since they are working elsewhere. As a result, these dentists are leaving patients in the care of their hygienists/receptionists to perform important procedures. So, the dental hygienists/receptionists are running these offices under no supervision and charging the same fees as a dentist to perform routine and even complicated dental care services. A recent case occurred when a dental hygienist indicated that the dentist was not in office, but she would perform the duties of removing four teeth from the mouth of an elderly woman. Luckily, the daughter of the elderly lady was present to question the dental hygienist's qualification, refuse the dental procedure, and leave the office. However, too often unsuspecting patients who may not be knowledgeable about the dental hygienist's qualifications will allow him or her to perform dental procedures without the presence and guidance of a dentist. In such cases, dental complications may occur at that moment or later. Patients need to be educated that the dentist whose office was used for the procedure will ultimately be legally responsible for their difficulties. Evidently, the opening of private dental practices need to be regulated by the Ministry of Health so that a dentist is always in office to attend to patients' needs.

UWI Hospital Mona Fails Again at Serving the Public

It is disheartening to hear that a lady cannot obtain critical eye treatment and is on the verge of becoming blind because UWI hospital no longer provides a machine to handle the needed procedure. Certainly, after years of use, machines will break down. However, it does not appear any responsible person at the hospital considers that important machines such as that eye machine will need to be replaced eventually. The Chairman of the UWI Board, James Moss Solomon, provided a poor, inexcusable response that the machine costs too much money. It would have been more informative to hear from Mr. Moss Solomon what action will be taken to seek funding to replace the machine so that not only this lady but the public will continue to benefit in the future. Such response shows an indifference to the plight of people who cannot afford private medical attention since having such eye procedure done privately will cost over $1 million Jamaica dollars. Such a shame!