Beverley Anderson -Manley
IT IS said that when Lee Kwan Yew began the process of transforming Singapore he had a series of conversations with the people. One of the earliest conversations was to do with how the people saw themselves; therefore, how they would want others to see them.
In carrying out this assessment the people looked at their mindset - their strengths and weaknesses; their capabilities and competencies and most importantly addressed the question of who they would have to become and what was necessary for Singapore to be operated like a successful and extraordinary corporation.
For example - foreign investors must see a clean country, competently led, where there is law and order and corruption is kept to a minimum and dealt with swiftly. Age-old practices like 'spitting' had to go. An entire mindset that had given Singapore the results it was getting had to be destroyed so that the transformation could take place.
The people bought into the conversation and the rest is history.
CONVERSATIONS
What is the nature of the conversations that we are having in Jamaica? How do we see ourselves and how, therefore, do we want to be seen. We are often into conversations that like the proverbial rat chasing its tail - takes us nowhere. Being accountable and taking responsibility is missing from our conversations and our lives.
That is why so few people (separate and apart from those who pay as they earn - PAYE) pay income taxes. That is why we throw garbage into gullies and are then dismayed that we have flooding.
That is why mothers and fathers neglect and abuse their children. That is why we will have governmental policies that treat the critical area of Early Childhood Education with such disrespect - under-valuing our children during their most critical age.
That is why we indulge in 'verandah' talk that leaves us in our comfort zones and allows us to 'scapegoat' others. That is why many of us are still slaves, depending on Backra Massa to 'let off' something on us. That is why we are still so locked into dependency trapped in paradigms that limit us and allow us to do very little about anything in our personal lives or in the life of our country.
GOVERNMENT MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
When we, as a people, can collectively accept that we must hold our leaders accountable in concrete ways, in terms of policies and actions; when we can begin to take responsibility for what is happening in Jamaica - then perhaps we will see a difference,
Let us begin with our children. While we are waiting for Government to assume full responsibility for our children between the ages of birth to seven years old, let us become advocates for these children and let the Government know in no uncertain terms that what is being done is not good enough.
We are now confirming that most of the island's basic schools are operating from substandard structures not suitable for learning and that the meals supplied by Government to some of these schools are not of a high nutritional standard. This is just to mention few of the issues surrounding this critical area of education. This is the foundation, the root on which our entire educational system is being built.
WE CAN FIND THE MONEY
It was 34 years ago that that the Founder of Early Childhood Education in Jamaica, Dr. D.R.B. Grant came to see me at Jamaica House and encouraged me to be an Advocate for this area of education. Many things have happened since, but not enough..
As we watched the discussions unfold in the Standing Finance Committee of our Parliament last week; as the Budget was being examined almost line by line; as well prepared Opposition Members asked their questions on our behalf as citizens, I was reminded that we seem to be able to find money when we need to find it, no matter how unproductive and broke we appear to be. Let us then commit to finding the resources that are necessary for the foundation in this critical area of our educational system.
I agree with the Prime Minister "Together we can."
Beverley Manley is a broadcaster, gender specialist and political scientist. Email: bmanley@kasnet.com
