90-year old pulls out on STEP

During the Easter STEP program this blog reported the employment of under-aged workers. This we reported was a breach of the labour laws of the country.
To make matters even worse the selection committee for STEP program this time around has employed a ninety year old man to the program in the Roblot area while some needy parents are blatantly neglected because of their voting preference. Jadia Jn Pierre, the PM's press secretary made it crystal clear that this round of the program is to give support to the needy parents who have children who will be attending school in September. What about this statement that the Choiseul STEP organizors don't understand?
They failed to do a background check on the ageable man who is already on the government assistance program. Yes the old man fell sick after a day's work and had to be taken to hospital. He is presently in bed now. Reliable sources inform the blog that the old man's daughter as well as other persons in the community are upset as they see no reason why this man who can barely walk should be in the program.. The old man is a die-hard Labour. Get the picture?
This blog can point to at least three single mothers in the community who could do with the "kakadan" the program gives. Yet they were ignored. This form of affirmative action must stop now.
However one should not be surprised at the behaviour of the persons who head the program as they must have taken their que from the Rep.
Persons who do wrong that affect children will in someway, someday, pay for this. Will the old man still be paid? If I was in his place I would demand my pay.

All ah we Is one

By Tennyson Joseph 

Dear Darren,

My determination to avoid the charge of petty-island nationalism has hitherto stayed my hand from expressing my support for you despite the many opportunities to do so.
However, after noticing the total blackout of gratitude following the West Indies 4-I victory over the touring New Zealand team in the One-Day series, my human decency urged that I balanced the equation by saying thank you, and by acknowledging your leadership role in the victory.
It does not stretch the imagination to determine what would have been the media response had the outcome been reversed. Certainly, there would be no hesitation in placing the blame at your feet. Any schoolchild could have written the editorial damning you, from a cut-and-paste of old commentary from the usual suspects. Notice how badly you were maligned for bowling two overs short in the one match that we lost. At least, through the negativity, there was a “backhanded” acknowledgement of your economical bowling.
Worry not, though, since many write for external readerships.
Your calm and dignity in the face of such unbelievable hostility tells me that you need no lessons from me on how to shoulder your burden. Indeed, I have witnessed far more seasoned and “educated” political leaders in our region resort to crudity, vulgarity and vindictiveness in the face of milder opposition.
However, I feel compelled to remind you that what you are facing is a result of our region’s acceptance of inherited colonial notions of MDC/LDC, centre/periphery, small island/big island and urban/rural dichotomies which continue to determine “who gets what when and how”.
Remember that we have inherited an authoritarian tradition and are now learning habits of civilized public discourse. We are often unnecessarily cruel. Those who have sacrificed the fullest for the collective happiness are often the least loved, and the most maligned.
Despite this, continue to remain a true Caribbean patriot.
As you face your own leadership challenge, remember that Sir Grantley Adams of Barbados was viewed as coming from too small an island to earn the respectful followership of others. But history has a way of bowling googlies, and only those willing to learn its lessons can read the turn. Unity is essential since yesterday’s MDC is today’s economic basket-case.
So bear your burden, Darren, but stay strong, humble, decent and dignified. Give it your all and trust in your ability, which, despite what the critics say, places you among the top tier of the current first class crop.
Remember, that a leader far greater than you was rejected for being from too insignificant a background to be taken seriously. “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”, they derisively asked of that leader. So bear your fate, Darren Sammy, but continue in faithful service to the still oppressed Caribbean people.
One love, my brother.
Tennyson

Source: http://www.nationnews.com/index.php/articles/view/letter-to-sammy/

Eye On This Round Of STEP

The latest round of STEP has just commenced in the North of the island. According to Jadia Jn Pierre it is geared towards single mothers and fathers who need the assistance with school expenses.
STEP will be commencing in Choiseul soon.In this constituency all eyes will be focussed on the powers that be who select persons from the various communities to partake in this round of the program.
It will be left to be seen whether the usual descriminatory politics come into play during the selection process. The keyword here as stated by the Prime Minister's press secretary is "parents in need to purchase school expenses." Therefore it is hope that the selectees for this month's STEP will be mothers and fathers who have children attending school and in need.
Recommendations should come from community-based groups where they are present and/or applications from the needy parents themselves. These names and applications should then be scrutinized and checked by a central committee before a final decision is taken to employ these persons.
This blog would be pleased if selections is done on merit. The children are the ones who will be affected. Choiseul is watching.

UWP Constituency Branch Executive Formed

Reports reaching this blog reveal that supporters and well wishers of the UWP in the Choiseul/Saltibus Constituency gathered at Virgilia's place last Sunday to elect an executive for the Constituency Branch. This constituency is famous for hurriedly putting together a costituency branch executives just before a convention. Nothing new.

It is being rumoured that the Party is making plans to hold its annual sometime in October.Also being wired through the grapevine is that Chastnet and Rigobert may put their hats in the ring to challenge King for political leadership.

As if it is engrained in the UWP's culture, to continue to do things within a click and refuse to invite the wider base of supporters to elect persons who will have a greater influence on the voting population in the constituency.

Due to past records and incidents certain figures who by whatever means have gotten themselves on this new executive should not be there. This only helps to further deepen the mistrust that the general public have of them and as a result will continue to haunt the party. Some persons must have the gonads to stay away from certain positions. For whatever gain or fear by the organizors, some of the leaders of the polling divisions in the constituency were not invited to take part in this elective/democratic process.. Polling division I5 which did better than all of the other divisions in the last elections was (perhaps deliberately) left out.

Why? In selecting the delegates to vote at the convention, this blog will monitor closely the mindset of these persons to discover whether any "cocomackery" or subservient action is being taken to influence their votes.
Though still early days the procedure which will be used to elect a new "local" candidate for next elections will be closely monitored. Any suggestions from the past Rep must be thrown out the window as his allegiance is on the other side of the divide. Also, this Executive must promise the people to investigate what happened to all the stuff that was at the office store room and at a warehouse, which was donated to the Choiseul people.
Until such time all eyes will be on this executive to see their effectiveness and committment.
Dedan C. G. Jn. Baptiste

Roblot Development. Committee Completes slate

The Roblot Development Committee has been plagued with the problem of migration of its executive members for ages now. This scenario of replacing two executive members at a meeting earlier today is nothing new. However the method employed is not stipulated in the constitution of the Committee. However good the intentions of those who encouraged the new members to come onboard it must always be done within the ambit of the constitution.
This blog welcomes the two new members who will serve as assistant to the tresurar and public relations officer in the persons of Clement William and Dellan Emmanuel respectively. They are replacements for Yvonne Stanislas amd Cristal Anthony both are students at Sir Arthur.
Whether the statements the PRO were endorsed by the executive or they were his own was quite a mouthful. He claims to be responsible for the youth. Many ideas he said have been brought forward by the youth - games, sports, visiting the elderly and the litany goes on.
He then went into general statements which to my mind should be dealt with by the president - community projects and the like.
Suggestions were given by the floor members with regards to fund raising, donations and the return of the library to Roblot. The latter seems to be a no no as the president gave reasons for its transfer.
Working closely with Kieth who is a councillor was suggested, as well skills development for the youth in the community. The other members on the executive are Trudy, Enda, and Patrick.
It is left to be seen how committed this revived executive is. Only time will tell as they venture to prove a point and improve the Roblot Community.
Dedan C. G. Jn. Baptiste

SLP Honours Campaign promise

The Ministry of Education is in the process of finalizing plans for the disbursement of bursaries for new Secondary School students.
As stated by Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Kenny D. Anthony in the 2012/2013 Budget Statement,
“To ease the burden on families whose children graduate from Primary School, we will provide a one-off bursary of $500.00 per student to eligible parents at the start of the school year. The purpose of this bursary is to assist parents to purchase vital school requirements, uniforms and shoes.”
According to Hon. Dr. Robert Lewis, Minister for Education, Human Resource Development and Labour, a system has been identified for the assessment of applications and subsequent disbursement of funds which will be done well ahead of the start of the new school year. To be eligible for the bursary, the following criteria must be satisfied by the applicant:
1. The student wrote the Common Entrance Examination;
2. The student will be attending a Secondary School; and
3. The student has applied for the bursary.
While the bursary is available to all parents, some may choose not to access it; hence the application process becomes necessary.

Any student who returns to Grade 6 will not be eligible for the bursary.
The application forms will be available at all district education offices immediately after the launch of the programme which is expected to take place in the form of a press conference by the Minister for Education next week.

Roblot Combined School Holds Awards Ceremony

The students of the Roblot Combined School and most of their parents assembled in the assembly hall on Wednesday July 11, 2012 for the Annual Awards Ceremony. Dignitaries present were the District Education Officer, Mr. John Mathurin, Mr Alderick Mondesir, Representing the Choiseul Development Foundation and Mr Albert Charlery, the guest speaker. the ceremony got underway at about 10:30 am.

The Dignitaries: Alderick Mondesir, Albert Charlery

John Mathurin, and Monica Bernard (Principal).

The Principal delivered the opening remarks and after welcoming the invited dignitaries and parents went on to encourage the students to strive for excellence. She went at length to justify the importance of the awards to the students. The awards she said, “Symbolizes everything in the child.”

“Work to excel in everything you do. Everything you do always put your best into it.” The DEO warned the students. He went on, “Choose your friends wisely, and do not let friends influence you in[to] doing what is wrong. Set your goals and overcome every barrier.” The parents he said must give support to the children if they are to perform at a high level.

Charlery, in his remarks with the theme Brilliance, made mention of two sports personalities: Darren Sammy and Lavern Spencer. He said that it was because of their  effort and brilliance that they were able to achieve so much. Presently Sammy is the West Indies cricket team captain while Spencer is a St Lucian top High Jumper of Olympics status.  Brilliance he told the gathering they must try to achieve through hard work. One famous statement he made during his delivery which created a murmur among the parents was when the warned them to, “Move away from the “Savanne slang” to develop the child’s capabilities. Speak to the child in a proper manner.”

A logo competition sponsored by the Choiseul Development Foundation which was held two years ago was won by a student of the school. Mr Mondesir presented the prize to that child. He also informed the gathering that Roblot Combined also captured the second place prize. Mr Mondesir went on to give the gathering a brief history of the foundation as well as its present executive.

The last part of the ceremony saw the presentations of medals and certificates to the top students in Math, and English from the different grades. The grade six teacher awarded prizes to the most discipline child in his class and the top sports student in the school. Shania William, daughter of Shana Charles and Clement William of Roblot was hailed the top student of the school by the principal. She topped the School’s Common Entrance results this year’s with an average of 82.33%. She also placed sixth in the Constituency. The principal awarded her with prizes for topping the Math and English scores while Zacheus Wilson got the prize for topping the General Paper score.

It was now the parents turn to show their appreciation to the teachers. Shana Charles presented gifts to Ms Thomas and Mr Felix for their dedicated effort and patience while teaching her children  Shakil and Shania respectively. Thelma Herman  also thanked ms Thomas for a job well done with her child.

In the next school year the staff will be one teacher less because of a low student population at the school. This teacher Ms               was presented with a token for her hard work.

Zacheus delivered the vote of thanks which brought an end to this year’s ceremony.