Don't Expect Quick Resolutions from Jamaican Government Offices

I began to fret as I contemplated the  experience I would face when I arrive at my destination. I know without a doubt that I should expect to get the run around as nothing ever goes smoothly at any of these service locations. There is only a guarantee that once I finally get to speak to a customer service employee after standing in a long line, I will be given information that will clearly mean nothing if I return the next day and ask the same questions to another employee. With so many horror stories from Jamaican pensioners and others, I will not hold my breath in hope of getting any resolution to my problem on that day or that week or that month or even that year. In fact, the issue may continue for the next years due to the lackadaisical work culture that this entity has come to symbolize. So, I should get used to entering the building since  many more visits are predicted before the matter will be finally resolved. Where am I? Of course, at a Jamaican government office - where else could I be?

Too Much Time on the Mayor's Hands

It is inconceivable how a mayor of a city that is plagued by so many social issues and population needs seems to have found so much time throughout each day to post on social media. The constant postings throughout the day indicates that the mayor may simply have nothing to do or this mayor is effective in delegating work to others so as to free up tax payers' time to constantly post on social media. It would be acceptable if this mayor would post on the work that is taking place on the bad roads or dilapidated buildings or the dirty, smelly streets with running sewer water or the many other issues that need to be fixed throughout the city. Tax payers would certainly welcome posts on successes achieved or notices on social activities planned to benefit the residents of communities throughout the city. However, in addition to silly postings, the main emphasis of the mayor is to blast the ruling JLP or to spread propaganda or call out other politicians - even those associated with PNP who brings out the mayor's wrath. Taxpayers deserve better.

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!