RANDOM THOUGHTS

I am still very skeptical about the PRB report (Appanah version) and Sithanen?s budgetary measures. Salaries have been generously raised with the backdrop of performance and customer orientation. Intentions are very high and noble but we should have thought of inculcating a culture first and then accordingly do the needful. Is it not a case of the cart and the horse? The Education system needs a totally new approach. (...) We need dare change with active learning. The child needs inspiring and motivated teachers led by dynamic and enthusiastic Head teachers and rectors. Pupils need to think analytically and critically. (...) Teachers of the private sector have contributed to the NPS and SICOM. Will they be generously be paid like state ones? We are all responsible ? if we have created pre-voc classes. They are your kids and mine and should not be dumped anywhere without being given the right tools. On the other hand one should ponder upon how a teacher could possibly manage a class of 40 pupils single-handedly. He cannot attend to 45 students having mixed abilities in a class unless he is extremely devoted and dedicated, which is scarcely the case of most teachers nowadays. We fully know that there is a leadership crisis in many sectors and things won?t change overnight. (...) At times the Executive Boards or Top Management teams are to be blamed for their way of running and ruining business. First and foremost political appointments should be done away with. How many organisations are being mismanaged because of conflicts and contradictions. Power tends to corrupt and many are posing as tin gods. Just imagine how those are powerful will act. (...) Ramgoolam seems to be the sole captain on board by his rhetoric qualities and his power to convince. Paul Bérenger must prepare the aftermath of the MMM as the MMM without Bérenger will face lots of problems. The MSM, meanwhile, should prove itself.

It is good to vaunt, of Cyber-City, of inflation and what not. But let not the Mauritian lose qualities of the heart like above all compassion, humility, care and tolerance among other values. Then and only then with a filled belly and an open heart, then only we will earn the coined paradise title, crime free island or is it mere utopia? Governing is an art but doing dirty politics on the back of people is causing untold harm to the country itself.

It is high time we change but above all we have to redesign learning, schooling and leadership. The challenge is ours. This country badly needs Love and Care?

Vijay KUMAR