Stephen Jackman (left), Principal of Daryll Jordan Secondary School and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Senator Patrick Todd, at yesterday’s launch of the 2016 May Day celebrations.
A large audience, including several primary and secondary school students, was on hand for yesterday’s launch.
‘Change attitudes towards youth’
Sat, 04/16/2016 - 12:00am
A secondary school principal says attitudes towards the youth and young workers must change.
Stephen Jackman, Principal of Daryll Jordan Secondary School, speaking on behalf of the Barbados Association of Principals and Public Secondary Schools (BAPPSS), made the comment while addressing the May Day Media Launch yesterday morning at Solidarity House. The May Day celebrations are being held this year under the theme, ‘75 Years: Clear Focus, Renewed Drive’.
Jackman’s comments came as he spoke of the solid relationship between labour and manufacturing in this country, which has helped to develop Barbados. He is contending that the next generation must be made aware of that relationship, and efforts must be made to build within the youth, the commitment to be the next wave of entrepreneurs in this country.
“They must be the next level of worker, equipped with the skill set to energise production and move us to the next level for the next 50 years. For this to happen, some attitudes to young people and young workers must change. They must not only be seen as vessels to receive information and to be moulded, but they are also creative minds who see and think about things in a much different way than we do,” he said.
Noting that today’s youth have access to information almost instantaneously, the secondary school principal spoke of the impatience they have developed, maintaining that they must be taught how to harness such impatience and use it to fuel further innovation and creativity. Moreover, he said there is a need for greater dialogue and co-operation between employers and employees and the involvement and creation of youth programmes by both groups.
“I want to remind persons that more of young people succeed in some way than fail, and we should celebrate all their success,” he said.
Meanwhile, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Senator Patrick Todd is urging Barbadians to celebrate the achievements of labour in this country. Senator Todd told those gathered that while for many May Day may only signify a day off from work, it is important that persons use the occasion to pay homage to the working men and women of Barbados.
“…We should use opportunities such as May Day to showcase those men and women who labour every day to sustain this country of ours, and to seek to always strive for excellence, optimal levels of productivity, pride and industry,” he said.
He made the point as he noted that many of these workers are unsung heroes who even though they may never be recorded in history books or published by the media, have contributed significantly to the social and economic improvements we enjoy today. Todd told the gathering, which included primary and secondary school students, that it is because of those who have gone before that we can boast of having one of the strongest labour movements not only in this region, but the world. (JRT)