Back off, critics!

It is just amazing how the critics can talk about teachers. They know all the solutions to the problems in our schools yet they will never enter the teaching profession. Critics have it to say that teachers are the ones why students are not learning and how much free time teachers have.

Why not put some of the blame on the parents who are not feeding their children properly, and those who take the children to babysit or work in the fields when they should be at school? How much can a child learn when he is hungry or only attends school two days out of every other week?

If you are so concerned about our students and their under-achievement why not find a child who needs help and sponsor that child? If you can't find a child why not go to a school ask the principal or the guidance counsellor and they will inform you of some of the issues our children are faced with.

- E. Coleman

daintyangel21@yahoo.com

Port Maria

St Mary

Garvey inaccuracies

The column 'This Day in Our Past' in The Gleaner of February 12 had a few inaccuracies. The seditious libel brought against Marcus Garvey, Theophilus Aikman and John Coleman Beecher, managing editor, literary editor and advertising and circulation manager, respectively, of The Blackman newspaper took place in 1929 not 1927.

In 1927 Garvey was incarcerated in Atlanta returning to Jamaica at the end of that year. The Blackman newspaper was first published on March 30, 1929.

- Rupert Lewis

Professor of Political Thought

University of the West Indies

Kingston 7

Misreading history

Rev Devon Dick's article 'Mis-educating CXC students', highlights the importance of getting facts straight, then allow the truth which, like oil, must float on the top. The fact is that most of our historical writing is from a dominant/subordinate perspective. Based on this, even in a losing situation, a victor is presented.

At this point in time there is the need for a review and to research historical facts and events. This should not only be for guiding students to pass exams (from ABC to PhD) but for true enlightenment as we face the challenges of the 21st century.

History in fact is not only lived forward and understood backwards, but should reflect the truth, the whole truth even if it hurts.

- Frank Lawrence

NJCA@yahoo.com

Sturge Town Community Development Council