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DLP Column: Our future
11/16/2009
Prime Minister David Thompson has remained resolute in his calls for a safer environment for our youth. His comments on the use of cellphones and the deleterious effect
that the minibus culture presents served as a reminder to the unwarranted vagaries that impact our small society.
The recent comments by Minister of Public Works, John Boyce, regarding the online video of schoolchildren, served to reinforce the problems that we have to tackle. Minister of Education, Ronald Jones, and the Deputy Prime Minister, Freundel Stuart, have also had their views placed on public record.
Our society needs to have tough decisive leadership in these times. We are not speaking about leadership that is feared, but leadership that is fair. Our current Prime Minister has ushered in a new form of political leadership that demonstrates the importance of having compassion and emotion. He has demonstrated that he is someone we can trust. He has set the tone for what we want to achieve and focus on as a people.
There can be no doubt that the safety and security of our children must be paramount as we negotiate these challenging waters.
Over the last week, we have been privy to concerns raised in the print media regarding the poor and unacceptable conduct of ‘some’ of our schoolchildren. Pictures were published showing children jumping from the windows of overcrowded minibuses and stories of online videos of school-children on board public service vehicles (PSVs) made the rounds.
This sector, according to recent comments from members of Cabinet, will not be allowed to destroy the human fabric of our being. We intend to get tough were we deem it a necessity, and the day is drawing closer when we will have to say enough is enough. If employers continue to recruit drivers and conductors who chalk up offence after offence,
then one can only conclude that they sanction the action of their employees.
The Democratic Labour Party is committed to making a difference in the lives of all Barbadians. We will explore all options, aimed at bringing some sanity to a sector that has been allowed to deteriorate under the Arthur rule. His former deputy, Mia Mottley, carried the mantle in the Ministry of Education until he could take it no more.
We are currently trying to restore pride in our system and in so doing rescue our youth. The minibus and ZR culture must not be allowed to continue to influence or define our
future. Already, some options have been suggested: legislation to prevent children from travelling on PSVs, increased surveillance on public transport, and holding owners accountable for the folly of their employees, even if it means depriving them of their income.
This matter is a very serious one and will be treated in the same manner as seeking solutions to close the fiscal deficit. All of the above were ‘only’ ideas of Ministers who all feel
the pain of trying to secure a possible loss generation. We are continually seeking out ideas that are geared towards growth as opposed to consumption, while saving jobs.
Likewise, we find ourselves having to design a social policy agenda that protects our human capital. When one takes a look at the journey of the Arthur rule, there is clear evidence that his administration placed people to the rear of the development agenda and as a result our country is reaping what the Barbados Labour Party sowed.
Nevertheless, the Thompson administration intends to restore pride and industry as we etch closer to celebrating yet another Independence milestone. Happy Independence Barbados!
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