There is an exquisite Jamaican saying: “When dog have money, him buy cheese.” That is most applicable to our national spending on tertiary education. The expression means we recklessly purchase unnecessary items when we get excess funds. Hosein R and Tewarie B (2007) saw this recklessness concerning our tertiary education …
Read More »Vaneisa: Hard not to be cynical about Caricom
Even when you have always believed that a unified Caribbean is the ideal state for regional development; even when you support the idea of Caricom, it is hard to buy in to what it has turned out to be in its 50 years of existence. I was but a child …
Read More »Dear Editor: Enlightened Trinity College students taught nation a valuable lesson
“[…] Some of our citizens, unfortunately, seem to hold the view that the natural hair type of students of African descent and their African ancestry/heritage and culture are not valid considerations in the crafting and implementation of school rules. “[…] It is refreshing that like in 1970, the heroes of …
Read More »MoE passes National School Hair Code, students allowed new range of hairstyles
Schools can no longer penalise students with “locs, twists, plaits, afros, cornrows, weaves or braids” thanks to a new “National School Hair Code”, which takes effect nationwide from the new academic year in September 2023. The decision was announced by the Ministry of Education (MOE) after “discussions with the Tobago …
Read More »Dear Editor: Newspaper editors needed… and start at the Trinidad Express!
Trinidad Express Newspapers are in the market for an assistant night editor. Through you, I wish to make an application for the job. On the list of qualifications and experience required for securing employment in this position are nine items: At #7, ‘Proficient knowledge of the structure and content of …
Read More »Dear Editor: Despicable stance of Anglican-controlled Trinity School Board is dark irony
“[…] That a school board, which operates under the auspices of a religion that was founded and created out of rebellion and non-conformity with prevailing rules at the time, would take the high road in the 21st century and insist that students abide by a racist, discriminatory rule that disproportionately …
Read More »Dear Editor: Trinity College’s unchristian, discriminatory policy proves 1970 “revolution” still unfinished
“[…] I have stated before that the ‘Revolution’ that took place in 1970, in T&T, is an unfinished revolution. If we do not continue to educate and sensitise our younger generation on their self-worth then, unfortunately, history is inclined to repeat itself. “[…] How in Heaven’s name could a senior cleric …
Read More »Noble: The Light that shone in the West; what next for The UWI?
Last week, the incumbent Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley, pronounced that The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has fallen from its scientific research mission. At the time, he was celebrating The University of The West Indies’ 75th and 70th anniversary of its Seismic Research Centre (SRC) (Express, June …
Read More »Vaneisa: Municipal Corporations matter; the importance of Local Gov’t
The last time local government elections were held on 2 December 2019, there were 139 electoral districts. On 14 August, there will be 141, to be contested by 373 candidates—barring any withdrawals. Only 34.7 per cent (374,878) of the electorate (1,079,976) cast their ballots on that occasion. It is not …
Read More »Daly Bread: No Quan Do; Gov’t employing “spurious reasoning” for NiQuan secrecy
There are three shocking characteristics displayed by some of our rulers and their satellites whom we have had to endure during the last two decades. These are disrespect for accountability, scorn for ordinary people and an absence of humanity. Last week, these characteristics combined in a manner as cruel as …
Read More »Noble: Central Gov’t in its present format doesn’t work—oh, gorm, man! Lead, nah!
Disappointment and impatience cloak our land in the run-up to the Local Government elections. Oh, Gorm Man! When will we get serious about our life, children, and future? A Lloyd Best quote captures our dilemma, which is the appalling lack of imagination and gravitas to tackle our nation’s problems: “[…] …
Read More »Daly Bread: Supernovas lob Grenade for Pan, despite difficulties
Pan music has always said to me “let me love you” and I have responded “I will love you for a thousand years”. Last Sunday, in the Savannah, the melodic single pan bands performing in Pan Down Memory Lane category preceded Pan in the 21st Century and lyrics like those …
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