I have no intention of discussing the remarks made by the former Chairman of the Police Service Commission Mr Nizam Mohammed, for as far as I am concerned, the President of the Republic has acted on the matter and his decision is final. The President has not acted arbitrarily and I am confident that he followed due process with consideration being given to the rules of natural justice.
Those who wish to chastise the action of the President on this issue are exposing themselves in a highly embarrassing manner because it brings into question the particular agendas of such persons and undermines their professed positions as nation builders.
There is no apology to be given to individuals who continue to take gullible followers along the destructive road that leads to a racial divide. It is time that we engage in a national dialogue about matters that affect all of us and solutions to those challenges that prevent us from achieving our maximum potential. In this regard it is time to finish the short course run on race and begin the marathon discussion on the measures to be implemented to develop and promote a true sense of our identity and nationhood.
Moving on
Unfortunately, because politicians resorted to the phrase 'let's move on' in instances that warranted an apology to the population or a truthful explanation for errors in judgment, I prefer to encourage the citizenry, after this most recent example of the ill effects of 'foot in the mouth' disease, to 'move forward' in the direction of building our nation which comprises diverse peoples. Commendation is given to the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition for distancing themselves from statements that had the potential to divide our nation at a time in our history when we are attempting to prove that we have matured as a people capable of overcoming our differences and understanding the philosophies of those who do not share our particular persuasions.
So while I appreciate the encouragement to put the matter behind us as we 'move on', it is hoped that all have learnt their lessons and similar mistakes would not be repeated. In other words, all who hold high public office are held accountable at a standard higher than the ordinary, and if the benchmark is set too high, then such persons always have the option to voluntarily move on.
Religious education
The decision by this Government as articulated by the Minister of Education Dr Tim Gopeesingh that the teaching of religions will be introduced in the schools' curriculum is a giant step in the right direction for maintaining and promoting harmony and tolerance in our multi-religious society. However diverse our faiths, there are shared golden rules and fundamental principles that speak to embracing all persons and treating one another with respect. The focus should now be on developing a comprehensive syllabus with input by suitably qualified persons and an intense training course for teachers who will be delivering the subject matter.
The Minister of Education has adopted a no-nonsense approach to the subject of improving the current school curriculum to the extent that more time is to be spent on completing the school syllabus without undue interruptions and so it is hoped that the teaching about all religions, which is sometimes referred to as Comparative Religion, will commence sooner rather than later in all schools throughout the country.
Right programming
Those from my generation will remember well the popular local programmmes, including Know Your Country, College Quiz and Cross Country, the latter hosted by the very knowledgeable former Minister of Government, Mr Ralph Maraj. I learned quite recently that these programme which were all broadcast on Channels 2 and 13 by TTT, the only television station at the time, were actually produced by Dr Anna Mahase, a former Principal of St Augustine Girls' High School, whose intelligence and civic mindedness are well recognised and appreciated by all with whom she has interacted.
In my youth, we were not bombarded with hundreds of channel options and were happily entertained and inspired by local content on television that showcased the talent and beauty that abounds in our twin islands and so we enjoyed learning about our rich cultural heritage and yearned for information about our country's history and uniqueness.
Good learning
Whether it was through inter-school competitions or in-house training, civics played a vital role in a child's education. Each student was supposed to know the national watchwords, the meaning of each colour of the national flag, the names and correct designations of those who held high office and various other matters which concerned our country's past and present. Those were the days when youngsters, irrespective of religion, were taught in school the mantra-before all else God, and true love for country.
There is great gratitude for those who instilled noble beliefs and values in the hearts and minds of young persons who are now adults mandated with the responsibility to steer our country on a safe and progressive course. While the need to focus on academic learning is vital in any child's education, time must be put aside, however intense and rigorous the academic pursuits, to pay attention to matters that fall within the realm of civics, so that there is an early appreciation of the value of patriotism and nationhood.
End to racing
And what is the relevance of my discourse to the matter at hand? Well to put it simply, I firmly believe that if more time was spent in open and meaningful dialogue about matters such as reducing criminal activity, ensuring good governance and the development of a true national identity, then there would be little or no room for the race card to be played and given undue importance in a heterogeneous country in which all races live harmoniously. Among other issues, we have to determine the reason for our low self-esteem in light of our international achievements in the fields of academics, sports, culture, literature, and the list goes on.
Why has it taken us so long to warmly embrace and jealously claim the invention of the steel pan and the reason that teaching students to play our national instrument is not part of the formal curriculum in all schools? These are the types of discussions that will lead to implementing measures and programmes to further our maturity, independence and objectivity as we critically think about our future and where we want to go as a nation.