Gordon Robinson | Poor man’s old BC

A little bit of rain has fallen (seemingly none in the dam) since last week so the Old Ball and Chain moved on to another of her pet peeves.

Old BC: I wish Old Grey Balls would get over himself. He’s so obsessed with constitutional change that he ignores the everyday issues that affect real peoples’ lives.

Old GB: Like what my dearest one?

Old GB: I’ve said repeatedly that I consider Matthew Samuda a hardworking, intelligent young man with the potential to contribute significantly to Jamaica. However, in Thursday’s Gleaner there’s a photograph of him planting what I’ve always known as a Poor Man’s Orchid Tree! Now I’m all for planting trees, but I believe we should be planting trees that aren’t only beautiful, but practical and suitable to the space. Poor Man’s Orchid trees are susceptible to white flies. I don’t have a degree in horticulture but I learnt this because there were a lot of Poor Man’s Orchid trees in my community. White flies quickly infest these trees and require constant spraying with insecticide. Why’d we plant trees that cost more to maintain than others?

Old GB: So are you offering yourself to Matthew as a landscaping consultant? You realise that, as a government contract awardee, you’d suddenly come under scrutiny from Integrity Commission and have to declare your assets, fungible or otherwise?

Old BC: One thing seems certain is he needs one. And while we’re talking landscaping, another pet peeve of mine is why are Bougainvillea planted in medians? They require constant pruning and are also constantly infested with white flies. Additionally, they impede motorists’ view when improperly maintained. If we need to find employment for people, let it be in areas that contribute positively to society.

Old GB: Like where?

Old BC: Surely there are other areas that urgently require development (e.g. education). Maybe we could revamp education beginning with teachers. If Jamaica wants to improve every aspect of our people’s lives it must be through education. Let’s be realistic and recognise the only way to do this is through our teachers. Without education there are no doctors, there are no bankers, and let’s not forget, there are no politicians!

Old GB: Hmmm. You sure you want more of those?

Old BC: Behave yourself! Let’s choose the best and brightest to be our teachers. It can’t be that an applicant only needs a few CXC subjects to enter teachers’ training college. Let’s select the most qualified to deal with children. Let’s provide rigorous programmes which develop critical thinking and problem solving. There’s no reason it can’t be done. I think of people like Russell Bell – a great motivator and teacher. I’m sure there are others. Let’s stop teaching same old same old. Regurgitation of information from books doesn’t create leaders. It creates mimics and followers.

Old GB: So what new should we be teaching?

Old BC: Let’s recognise that not everybody can be doctor, lawyer or teacher. Let’s recognise it’s equally important to have qualified mechanics and carpenters. There’s no reason that a properly trained mechanic can’t end up owning a chain of efficiently run garages that earn large incomes and employ hundreds. A carpenter can end up owning a chain of furniture stores employing, exporting and earning foreign exchange.

Old GB: I thought we were talking about trees.

Old BC: We are. Come with me. I feel like Fred Sanford talking to Lamont! If we are to get tree-planting policy right we need to have persons available to government with unusual skill sets including landscaping. This requires a wider educational curricula to provide graduates with various practical skills. But we must begin with the political will to develop a totally revamped and well thought out plan which includes highly educated and prepared teachers.

Old GB: So, more excellent teachers?

Old BC: Plus, plus! The teacher/student ratio can’t be 60:1 or even 30:1. How on earth does one teacher control, much less teach, so many children? I’ve three sons and there were times I could hardly manage. Just picture 30!! Let’s focus on what’s required to develop Jamaica. Only through education will we control crime, social disorder, fiscal irresponsibility and indiscipline!

Old GB: How will we achieve this ideal?

Old BC: Those who apply for leadership jobs in this country must deliver on their promises and lead Jamaica to be the best it can be. If not we must fire them and hire others!

Old GB: Yes Dear.

Peace and Love.

Gordon Robinson is an attorney-at-law. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com