Literacy and Numeracy Continue to Affect Students
(Excerpts of the Hon. Terrance Ollivierre’s Budget presentation)
Education is often a person’s most valuable asset. Undoubtedly, the education a person receives should adequately prepare him or her to reach full potential. That is an education that caters to the holistic needs of all individuals. In order for each person to perform at his or her best, emphasis must not only be placed on access but also on equity, quality and relevance. The real measure of our education system is how well it prepares and develops our people and the opportunities it affords to become active lifelong learners.
The Minister of Finance in his budgetary address stated, “The government has committed forcefully and unambiguously to investing in the full development of our untapped human potential in an unassailable historical reality that is known to all Vincentians.” However, has the ULP government adequately tackled the barriers to learning that many of the nation’s children face? The New Democratic Party has laid the foundation in the quest for spiritual, economic, moral, social, cultural and environmental development in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Indeed, we continue to make education of our citizens the highest priority. Accordingly, we must rid the education system of the inefficiencies which plague the teaching and learning process and make education and learning a lifelong process.
Literacy and numeracy are the gateway to future learning and it is inextricably linked to better employability and upward mobility. There is no doubt that literacy and numeracy continue to affect many students. It is of concern that many students moving from primary to secondary level have not sufficiently mastered the 3 R’s (Reading, wRiting and aRithmetic). Poor Literacy and numeracy skills at the primary level are inextricably linked to the worsening of these problems at the secondary level and beyond. However, in the estimates for 2019, only a miserly amount of $40,000 allocated to improving reading from Kindergarten to Grade 3. It is important that we recognize, that for the notion of, ‘no child will be left behind’ to be reality, that attendance is not enough but that each individual learning to read, write and calculate is required for success. This is absolutely necessary throughout the education system.
There is the need to make serious provisions to embark on a national literacy and numeracy campaign to tackle the problem; thus providing our youths with opportunities for positive outcomes. We must recognize that the various stages of education operate as an eco-system. Weaknesses and deficiencies at one level if not properly handled or resolved only worsen the problem at the next level. Dr. Didacus Jules laid it out plainly when he stated, “Put simplistically, poor childhood development leads to weak primary performance which in turn translates into stunted secondary achievement which leads to mediocrity in tertiary education.” Thus, we must have the political will and creativity to formulate innovative and bold strategies to strengthen our efforts at all stages of the education system to achieve positive outcomes.
A study commissioned by the World Bank of twelve (12) secondary schools in 2011, showed that a high percentage of students entering the secondary system were reading below the required standard. Indeed, the problem is still evident today. Since the problem was not effectively treated; and the corrective remedial curriculum program delivered, optimized and assessed, we are faced with the series of interconnected deficiencies and weaknesses to overcome at the higher levels.
Meanwhile, an examination of the results of the national diagnostic tests offered to students at Grades 2 and 4 in English and Mathematics over the years highlight the problems faced. It shows the higher the grade level, the lesser successes students attain in the areas of Mathematics and English. Undeniably, in many of our primary schools, many students are struggling to achieve success in Mathematics and English language. The truth is that literacy and numeracy levels in our primary schools are unsatisfactory. This can contribute to further problems, mediocrity or failure throughout the education system.
The Caribbean Examiner, a publication of CXC, highlighted the struggles some of the youths in the region face to achieve success. In the recent edition, we become acutely aware of the consequences faced as a result of weak literacy skills. One youth acknowledged, “I was not a very good reader and it caused a lot of difficulties in class, because I didn’t want to be teased and judged by my peers. Many days I would skip classes by faking an asthma attack. I would then go and hang out with friends because they would not make fun of me because of my reading problems.” Eventually, he dropped out of school at age 14. We must be cognizant, that as a small developing country, helping our young people to stay in and complete their formal education is a worthwhile objective.
Many students at the secondary level find it difficult to achieve success at Mathematics and English at the regional examination (CSEC). In fact, many students do not get the opportunity to write Mathematics or English being barred by the school they attend. This is mainly due to difficulties faced with numeracy and literacy. Yet the pass percentage attained in these subject areas in some schools are below par. Of the 1647 entrance for the CSEC examination by St. Vincent and the Grenadines for 2018, 1461 were entered for English and 1305 for Mathematics. Hence 186 and 342 students did not get the opportunity to write English and mathematics respectively.
Of the 26 secondary schools, 17 obtained a pass percentage of less than 50 % in Mathematics, with only 9 schools recording pass percentage above 50 %. Although, it was the reversed for English A; nine schools received pass percentage below 50 % and 17 schools recording pass percentage above 50 %, the percentage pass rate at too many of our secondary schools are at 20 % range and below. Indeed, we must do better by implementing (i) targeted intervention for students who have weak literacy and numeracy skills and (ii) school wide reforms that are designed to enhance the teaching and learning environment.
The Petitions Still Alive
The petitions filed by Benjamin Exeter and Lauron Baptiste challenging the election returns in
the constituencies of Central Leeward and North Windward, respectively, are set for trial on
February 11, 2019. Despite the change of judge in the matter, we expect that the new date
February 11, 2019 will finally be the start date for the trial.
This matter concerns all of us. It is not just a Ben Exeter matter or a Lauron Baptise matter. It is
not just a Dr. Friday matter or an NDP matter. It is a Vincentian matter, perhaps even a
Caribbean matter! With all the delay we have had, and the apparent winding down of the clock to
the constitutional date for fresh election, many people have been disappointed about the way the
matters have gone. However, we cannot allow the cases to go on without the public knowing
what is happening and taking an interest in seeing them to their proper conclusion
Our electoral process must be free and fair and must be seen to be so by the people who rely on it
to elect their government. The petition is necessary part of maintaining that system for all of us.
On the legalisation and decriminalisation of Marijuana
On the legalisation and decriminalisation of Marijuana: The General Position of the NDP
The discussion on marijuana has heightened within the last several months and is getting much
needed national attention. The government in its effort to set conditions to enable the
establishment of medical cannabis/marijuana industry has brought three bills before the
parliament to set the legal basis for this industry. The bills before the parliament are: (1) Medical
Cannabis Industry Bill; (2) The Permitted Use of Cannabis for Religious Purposes Bill and (3)
Cannabis Cultivation Amnesty Bill. The advancement in science and technology has exposed
many myths and falsehoods surrounding cannabis/marijuana. The discussion on the way forward
is hindered by varying views rooted in baseless and unfounded statements regarding marijuana
and its usage. Every day the world is rapidly opening up to the understanding that marijuana, a
herb, it is not a narcotic but a plant with many benefits for mankind.
The NDP is fully in tune with the developments taking place worldwide and is cognisant of the
history of the region and here at home with regards to the usage of marijuana as medicine and for
recreation. The compelling arguments in support of marijuana as a major source of much needed
income has motivated the government to set up a full scale marijuana industry with the intention
of making tons of money. As a party, we believe that any attempt to create a full scale marijuana
industry must bring major benefits to local farmers, especially the traditional marijuana farmers
who for decades have sacrificed a lot to keep “vincy weed” a viable commodity. However, we in
the New Democratic Party (NDP) have come to the conclusion that the approach by the ULP
administration to bring these bills in their present form does very little to change the status of the
present marijuana growers and users in St.Vincent and the Grenadines.
The cultivation of marijuana is one aspect of the cannabis industry with which Vincentians have
long and valuable experience. Most cultivation of marijuana/cannabis takes place in the North
Western portion of the country on Crown lands. Almost everyone who plants marijuana is
squatting on Crown lands. The crop is grown miles away in the foothills of La Soufriere
mountain range away from police attention and possible thieves who usually target marijuana as
easy picking if left unattended. The climatic conditions are also ideal for the growing process.
In the proposed cannabis industry bill, in order to be considered for a license to cultivate
marijuana an applicant must show some form of control of the land where the marijuana will be
planted. A marijuana famer has to show ownership or leasehold or a document of some sort that
will indicate that he has land legal access to the land. The bills also make provision to prohibit
planting of marijuana above certain contours so as to protect the forest reserve. In essence, after
the bills are passed marijuana farmers will not be permitted to plant where most of the marijuana
is being planted now. The NDP is of the view that this is a serious issue that needs urgent
attention. The land on which medical marijuana is to be planted is a matter of major concern that
must be addressed.
The empowerment of the local farmers, especially the ‘traditional farmers’ is not promoted by
the Bills. This is undermined by the draft bills. There are no provisions being made for them to
be given any financial resources in this new medical marijuana regime. Notably, the proposed
law does not provide for a co-operative or similar entity that will cater for the hundreds of small
“traditional’ farmers involved in marijuana cultivation. The traditional farmers are left on their own to face
investors in terms of pricing and marketing. Each of them must negotiate price,
quality and other terms of contracts essentially on his own. The pending bills have set out the
way the industry will be set up and managed. It is evident that a lot of financial resources will be
needed for farmers to be involved in the new industry. The present marijuana farmers do not
have the means to compete, especially if left on their own without government making resources
available to them to get started. It is, therefore, correct to suggest that the present bill will not
benefit traditional farmers and will in fact marginalised the pioneers who have been the vanguard
of the marijuana industry for many years. Partnerships between traditional farmers and
investors, local or foreign, should be encouraged and every effort should be made by
Government to ensure that traditional farmers are not put at a disadvantage or short changed.
The bills in their present form speak very little in terms of law reform. At the end of the day a
person smoking a “spliff” can be locked up. The farmer caught growing marijuana without a
license will still be committing a crime. Also, anyone caught transporting marijuana will still be
a crime. The bills do not in any way address these concerns. Every effort must be made to
introduce law reform that will allow marijuana related arrests, convictions and imprisonment to
be removed. These are some of the major concerns that the New Democratic Party has with these
bills and as a result the party sees the need to seriously address the marijuana issue in this
context.
The idea of putting measures in place to enable the setting up of a Medical Marijuana Industry
is not an original one in the Caribbean content and therefore it would be sensible to learn from
the Jamaican experience. Jamaica, in drafting its legislation took note of the country’s history
with cannabis. In Jamaica, the parliament was very much aware that it may not have been a
good idea to pursue a strict medical industry and ignore recreational use, which had deep roots
among the people. In this respect, the Government of Jamaica allowed persons to have up to two
ounces of marijuana for personal /recreational use. (to be Cont’d)
The NDP Congratulates the SVGTU
The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers Union (SVG TU) has been vindicated by the
judgment of the OECS Court of Appeal when the judges declared that the election leave
provision of the collective bargaining agreement that the Ralph Gonsalves government signed
with the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers’ Union in 2005 is not unconstitutional. The
NDP is studying the judgment and will make further pronouncement in the future.
This matter was brought by the SVGTU against the government when after the 2010 general
elections; they refused to reinstate three teachers – Addison “Bash” Thomas, Kenroy Johnson,
and Elvis Daniel – who had contested the 2015 elections on behalf of the Opposition NDP. This
refusal to rehire the teachers was contrary to longstanding practice and a Collective Agreement signed in
2005 by the Unions and the Government to reinstate teachers who would have
contested elections and were unsuccessful at the polls.
This decision by the government to disregard the collective agreement signed with the Unions
had not only brought the three teachers to great personal hardships, but effectively they also lost
their pensions and other benefits.
The case on behalf of the teachers was first heard by Justice Brian Cottle, who in his February
10, 2018 judgment said that “When I consider the competing arguments as well as my
understanding of the governing legal principles, I am driven to the conclusion that the claimants
cannot succeed.” He further noted that the matter was one “for constitutional reform and not for
this court”. The claim by the SVG TU was then described as “entirely hopeless” and struck out.
The SVGTU persisted in their cause and on 29 January was vindicated.
The NDP congratulates the SVGTU for their courage and tenacity in pushing forward to seek
justice for their members despite the ruling of Justice Cottle. This historic victory is well
deserved and when viewed in conjunction with the recent victory of the PSU, highlights a
worrying trend by this ULP government over the years of a practice that is unmistakably anti-
worker and anti-union.
The NDP urges the SVGTU to continue to be true to their members and to represent their
interests first. Further, the NDP is calling on the Government to respect the SVGTU and the PSU
as the legitimate bargaining agents of teachers and public sector workers and to return to the
bargaining table with the unions in accordance with their obligations under ILO Conventions and
with historic practice in SVG. In addition, the government should respect the bargaining process
and engage in respectful and good-faith negotiations with teachers and public servants.
NDP Speaks on LIAT
The ULP Must Be Honest With The People
On Tuesday 29 th January, Parliament approved the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for St.
Vincent and the Grenadines for 2019; totalling EC$1,067,343,283, in advance of the presentation
of the Budget.
Following the presentation of the Estimates by the Minister of Finance, Camillo Gonsalves, the
Leader of the Opposition Dr. Honorable Godwin Friday, led the response by the Opposition.
Speaking for approximately one hour, Dr. Friday pointed to many deficiencies in the Estimates,
including the ballooning “Other Capital Receipts” category of revenue, stated at over $198
million, which inflated the budget but will never be collected and spent. He declared that such
unrealistic and dishonest revenue projections make the Estimates exercise a mirage, far divorced
from reality.
Member for West Kingstown, the Honourable Daniel Cummings also responded. Among other
things, he spoke about the failure to address the dire health care situation in the country and the
poor planning and execution of river defenses in Kingstown. He was followed by Member for
Southern Grenadines, the Hon. Terrance Ollivierre, who pointed to the continued neglect of
public infrastructure, health services and education in his constituency.
It was obvious that after presenting their billion-dollar Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure,
those on the government side, including Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, did not seem very
committed to their revenue and expenditure projections, as only Agriculture Minister, Saboto
Caesar and Health Minister, Luke Browne spoke in support of them.
Why would a government that is so very media hungry bring their big Estimates to the House
and most of the Ministers fail to speak in support of it? Were they uncomfortable that the figures
were highly unrealistic and sensed that the Vincentian people would realize that they were being
misled again by the ULP administration? Given the 1% salary increase forced upon public
servants and teachers by the government and the resounding rejection of it by the teachers and
public servants, it is evident that Ralph Gonsalves and the ULP government are out of touch with
reality in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Status Of The Election Petitions
SVGTU HISTORIC VICTORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JANUARY 30 TH , 2019
THE NDP CONGRATULATES THE SVGTU ON THEIR HISTORIC VICTORY ON BEHALF
OF DISMISSED TEACHERS
Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Today, January 29 th the St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Teachers Union (SVG TU) has been vindicated by the judgement of the OECS Court of Appeal when the
judges declared that the election leave provision of the collective bargaining agreement that the Ralph
Gonsalves government signed with the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers’ Union in 2005 is not
unconstitutional. The NDP is studying the judgement and will make further pronouncement in the future.
This matter was brought by the SVGTU against the government when after the 2010 general elections,
they refused to reinstate three teachers – Addison “Bash” Thomas, Kenroy Johnson, and Elvis Daniel –
who had contested the 2015 elections on behalf of the Opposition NDP. This refusal to rehire the
teachers was contrary to longstanding practice and a Collective Agreement signed in 2005 by the Unions
and the Government to reinstate teachers who would have contested elections and were unsuccessful at
the polls.
This decision by the government to disregard the collective agreement signed with the Unions had not
only brought the three teachers to great personal hardships, but effectively they also lost their pensions
and other benefits.
The case on behalf of the teachers were first heard by Justice Brian Cottle, who in his February 10, 2018
judgement said that “When I consider the competing arguments as well as my understanding of the
governing legal principles, I am driven to the conclusion that the claimants cannot succeed.” He further
noted that the matter was one “for constitutional reform and not for this court”. The claim by the SVG TU
was then described as “entirely hopeless” and struck out.
The SVGTU persisted in their cause and on 29 January was vindicated.
The NDP congratulates the SVGTU for their courage and tenacity in pushing forward to seek justice for
their members despite the ruling of Justice Cottle. This historic victory is well deserved and when viewed
in conjunction with the recent victory of the PSU, highlights a worrying trend by this ULP government
over the years of a practice that is unmistakably anti-worker and anti-union.
The NDP urges the SVGTU to continue to be true to their members and to represent their interests first.
Further, the NDP is calling on the Government to respect the SVGTU and the PSU as the legitimate
bargaining agents of teachers and public sector workers and to return to the bargaining table with the
unions in accordance with their obligations under ILO Conventions and with historic practice in SVG. In addition, the government should respect the bargaining process and engage in respectful and good-faith
negotiations with teachers and public servants.
Dr. the Hon. Godwin Friday, President
Mr. Tyrone James, Secretary General
Democrat House
P.O. Box 1300
Kingstown, St. Vincent
Tel: (784) 456 2114
Fax: (784) 4572647
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: http://www.ndpsvg.org
http://www.facebook.com/NewDemocratic/Party
For further information contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
NDP STATEMENT ON THE BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
JANUARY 30 TH 2019
NDP STATEMENT ON THE BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA
Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines: As the socio-economic and political situation in the
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela becomes increasingly precarious our concern for the safety, security
and general well-being of the people of that regional sister country occupies our greatest consideration at
this critical time. We urge the protagonists in the country, in particular, as well as all external parties, to
be guided by that primordial humanitarian principle. The citizens of that country, like all other people,
deserve to live in peace and security, in their own homeland, in order to build a healthy, prosperous and
felicitous existence, utilizing their human and natural resources, for the benefit of all.
We in the New Democratic Party (NDP), the oldest active political party in St. Vincent and the
Grenadines (SVG), in accordance with our constitution, have actively worked to forge lasting relations
with the governments and people of Latin America, even before the attainment of political independence
in 1979. Indeed, we have moved in the footsteps of our forebears, who, since the mid-19 th century, have
traversed the region and beyond in search of opportunities for economic advancement. In government we
have consolidated and extended interstate relations, firmly based on mutual respect and non-interference
in domestic affairs. At the sub-regional, regional, hemispheric and wider international levels, through our
membership in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, CARICOM, the Association of Caribbean
States, the Organization of American States and the United Nations, our party is a consistent voice for our
guiding principles of respect for, and promotion of, human rights, and self-determination of peoples
through representative democracy.
Our party, in parliamentary opposition since 2001, is fully aware of the less salubrious manifestations and
frustrations of democracy through abuse of government power over the people. Even now, some three
years after the last general election in SVG, in December 2015, the people are awaiting the decision of the
courts of law in relation to petitions filed in a situation where the government holds a narrow one (1) seat
majority for a second consecutive election. It is a clear case of justice delayed being justice denied.
The security of states is best served through principled multi-lateral co-operation among themselves,
regardless of size, individual wealth, or strength. For small and micro-states like SVG it is the only
option.
Fully cognizant of the challenges, stresses and strains to which even the most established democracies are
subject, we reiterate our unwavering commitment to the solidarity we share with other countries of the
region with the people of the Bolivarian republic. We recall, with deep appreciation, the long-standing bi-
lateral co-operation and mutual assistance between our countries and pray for a resolution of the current
crisis, in the best interests of the Venezuelan people.
END
Dr. the Hon. Godwin Friday, President
Mr. Tyrone James, General Secretary
Democrat House
P.O. Box 1300
Kingstown, St. Vincent
Tel: (784) 456 2114
Fax: (784) 4572647
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: http://www.ndpsvg.org
http://www.facebook.com/NewDemocratic/Party
For more information, please contact: Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.