Lack of leadership contributes to academic decline

President of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, Milton Samuda is charging that a lack of leadership at various levels in the public and private sectors is among factors contributing to a drop in academic standards among students.



Mr. Samuda, who was speaking yesterday at an awards banquet at the University College of the Caribbean (UCC), noted that some past and current leaders have demonstrated their inability to pass exceptionally low standards set for them.



As a result, he said the people they lead cannot depend on them to insist on standards of excellence.



The JCC president who is also an attorney at law pointed to instances where persons speak of integrity but facilitate corruption, and promote efficiency but institutionalise beauracracy.



Additionally, he said there are those who redefine morality and decency to accommodate their own personal shortcomings and elevate the immoral, indecent and crass in the society.



Mr. Samuda further emphasised the need for a rigorous striving for and adherence to standards of excellence in order to remain internationally competitive.



He noted that the actions by some leaders often send mixed signals to children.



This is evident for example when there is insistence that the police root out corruption but bribes are paid in the name of efficiency.



Additionally he noted that the society cannot sanitise criminals into area leaders and community leaders, while translating to children that they can gain respect by the use of a gun.



He however believes that hope exists in celebrating excellence and the excellence of children.



The principles of dedication, sacrifice, belief in self, a determination to win and win fairly are also factors, which he highlights as necessary signposts along the journey for the nation’s children.