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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 10, 2019
A more enlightened approach is needed
Dear Editor,
I AM one that follows what is happening on the international and more importantly the local front. I noticed on Thursday of this week the Ministry of Education announcing that robotics for all primary schools is almost a reality. I thought, Wow! Finally, we have a government and a Minister of Education that is serious about transforming and moving education forward, using Information Communication Technology (ICT). Editor, I said to myself, thank heavens that as a country we are willing to embrace modern technology to drive education. No sooner had those thoughts settled, than I saw
one Mr. Rickford Burke post on his Facebook page” “So, in an election cycle, the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Guyana rolls out a Robotics component with a white man as instructor, when we have a Guyanese in the country currently teaching Robotics through STEM GUYANA. Utter foolishness! I support this coalition government and its vision for Guyana. But we need better, qualified, culturally aware people, competent people, visionaries, to implement the vision. This is unacceptable at many levels. Again, I wholeheartedly support this coalition government. But I can't support such nonsense! “Is Minister of Education Nicolette Henry Aware of
this?” Editor, I must admit I did not read the entire article emanating from the MoE regarding the robotics. And so I thought to myself, thank you Mr Usual Suspect for highlighting this. But, through it all, a still voice admonished me to read the article in its entirety and I did. Reading the article was extremely enlightening, and I asked myself the question: Did this individual and his followers read the article? From the outset, let me say this. For this individual to label the man who came here legitimately to potentially offer his services to this country, a ‘White Man’ was reprehensible, distasteful and is tantamount to racism. All right-thinking Guyanese
should speak out against this kind of language. Editor, let me return to the contents of the MoE’s article that seem to have upset so many persons. Firstly, it is clear in that article that the MoE has not rolled out the programme as was stated, so that part of the post is incorrect. It went on to say the man is an instructor for the MoE, from what I have read David Antar is the President of A+ Technologies and Solutions and he wanted to showcase what his company can offer via that demonstration. Nowhere in that article did I see a contract was awarded. In fact, the article was pellucid when it said the MoE is engaging ‘potential’ partners. With regards to the Guyanese teaching robotics through
STEM Guyana, I am sure like David Antar that Guyanese will have that time to showcase what he/she has to offer. I get the impression from the utterances of this individual and his crew that somehow the MoE should not look elsewhere apart from this Guyanese individual and STEM Guyana. That cannot be the approach of any responsible leader to sign off on such an approach. The introduction of Robotics and STEM in primary schools is bigger than one company or individual. I urge the MoE not to be bullied by these individuals and allow the tendering process to determine who is deserving of this contract. The MoE is embarking on a new initiative and therefore should not be
limited to interfacing with one individual or company whether they are Guyanese or otherwise. The Ministry must be allowed to do its work and not have individuals serving as ‘go-betweens’ for persons who have a self-serving interest in that project. Editor, where are we going as a country? How can people who are supposed to be educated behave in such a manner? They have clearly missed the most significant part which is for the first time Guyanese children will have robotics in their classroom. They can only see this ‘White man’ coming to take over the project. Regards Elizabeth Williams
GB&GWU remains resolute in call for arbitration Dear Editor IT is instructive the attempt being made by the government to resolve the impasse between the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) and the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc (BCGI). The Russian management has demanded from the government that the media does not cover the issues and that the unions are not involved. This information was shared by Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally with the Stabroek News (8th March, “Ally signals arbitration for BCGI disputes”). The demand is preposterous, and speaks to the height of RUSAL’s effrontery!
What next! Will Russia want to determine who must be Guyana’s president, opposition leader, the leader of political parties, religious organisations, etc.? Citizens and workers need no more evidence of the contempt being shown for Guyana’s sovereignty by a foreign company hosted under our laws, expected to respect same, and abide by international good corporate practices. Instead, we bear witness to the intensifying of the contempt for the labour laws and constitutional rights of workers (Article 147), to now that of seeking to trample on Article 146 of the Constitution. Article 146 guarantees the right to freedom of expression, the shar-
ing of information and knowledge. This right protects citizens and the media in our day-to-day activities, and it’s utilisation is critical in seeking resolution to conflicts, including that of the present industrial impasse. The Russian management is seeking to prevent us from telling our stories, articulating our reality. This attitude is symptomatic of those not respecting that basic human rights and freedoms are universal and protected. As BCGI management seeks to deny the Government of Guyana and her people, Russia is spreading misinformation on the impasse and about Guyanese, via its Sputnik news agency. This misinformation is being utlised by international
media, such as the USA Bloomberg News, and even reported in at least one of our Online news outlets. Guyanese did not fight for freedom of expression to have it denied to us by those who know or care not for our historical struggles, achievements and development as a people. As this is being written, recall is made of Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo’s February 28 press conference. At that conference, he was derisive of the government for allowing the media access to its meeting with BCGI and the unions, and on the ministry’s visit to Aroaima, a site of BCGI. Jagdeo has to be mindful that, as the Russians seek to deprive Guyanese freedom of expression and the unions the right
to association/solidarity on matters that affect workers across the board, his refusal to condemn BCGI’s growing contempt for the nation’s sovereignty is not perceived as consent. He is well aware silence is also a position. GB&GWU remains resolute in its call on the government to activate arbitration under the Labour Act (98:01) and consistent with the Collective Labour Agreement. Government has to be mindful that it has to show mettle in dealing with RUSAL lest it be accused of being incapable of. Regards Lincoln Lewis General Secretary, GB&GWU