talking for talking sake: Apparently not much thought was given to the Charter, otherwise, the governing party's members of parliament and the senate would have something constructive to discuss and share with the Bahamian people.
accusations: Minister Gray, the public realize that you speak within the protected walls of parliament. You cannot be sued. If you really believe what you say, step out of the hallowed halls and make a press statement. You must be remindful, however, you are opening a Pandora's Box -- some members in your party's cabinet cannot 'stand up to scrutiny'. (If you don't believe me, just google.)
suggestion: Talk with the fisherman and find out which seafood we have in abundance and which seafood are not served on the Bahamian dinner table (Fish Fry). Once this has been accomplished, (if cost effective) find a way to harvest and export. I am sure that we have species of fish that "die of old age".
“If every man would sweep his own door-step the city would soon be clean.”
Minister, the critical national problems in education are literacy and numeracy (our mathematics and English speaking, reading and writing abilities). Our citizens need to be competent in these two subjects. These are the educational foundations for a growing economy in an English speaking country. In my humble opinion, English Literature can be integrated into English Language where students are graded on both their ability to write (coherence, clarity etc.) and their thinking skills.
Encouraging our children to read does not require an additional course. Again, reading interesting books and poetry (written in standard English not dialect) can be integrated into English Language. Moreover this can be a part of the summer programme.
your reasoning: Spanish is a good idea, but one would think that visitors look for an authentic Bahamian experience. (If they are not looking for an authentic Bahamian vacation, we need to reexamine our tourism advertising). A part of the Bahamian experience is speaking the English Language. Also, our national focus should not be on acquiring a second language in order to "spend our money" in South Florida (boost the South Florida economy).
Please give all Bahamian citizens (children) a chance to succeed ---- let them spend more class time in English Language and Mathematics. Let's raise the national competency in English Language and Mathematics.
I recommend that we look for innovative ways to integrate numeracy and literarcy throughout the curriculum.
Perhaps we should ask the following questions: (1) If thousands of Bahamians are unemployed, who will purchase these 1,300 homes? (2) If thousands of Bahamians are unable to pay their current mortgages or rent, how can they purchase a new home? (3) If thousands of Bahamians are depending on social services for social assistance, how can they purchase a new home? (4) What are the criteria Bahamians should meet in order to get one of these new homes? (5) Is this a continuation of the clearly established 2012 PLP government partonage system--ministerial positions, senate seats, boards, committees, directorship, parliamentary positions, home ownership???? (5) What about fiscal responsibility? Value for each dollar ($) spent.
The Tribune, Please discontinue using photographs of Senator Keith Bell in police uniform. I am sure that if you were to check your files, you do have a more recent photograph. Remember, Mr. Bell was a police officer. Now, he is a novice politician.
I am concerned. The heavy security details, permits for concealed weapons, both Houses, Boards, and committees filled with cronies, police motorcades with outriders, cars and jeeps combined, these visible signs bring to mind a Hollywood enactment of a third world African country with a propped up dictator. My fellow Bahamians, what have we created?
Dr. Rollins, The government is urging Bahamians to stop hiding criminals. Sir, you claim that you witnessed a crime-- Dr. Rollins report your observations--turn in your photographs etc to the police. If you cannot support your claims, shut up! If you can, be a good citizen and do your duty. Isn't a vote precious! Your colleague Mr. Bell should also follow this advice. It is a shame that a man who is a former police officer is using a criminal offense for political mileage rather than bringing the perpetrator to justice. Gentlemen, you were elected because you claimed that you could do a better job running this county. Do your job. You are not on the campaign trail and we, the people, we will not tolerate your inmature behavior and antics for TV and newspaper coverage. We see your game. Act like legislators not clowns.
Before any steps are implemented scientific research (not intuition) is needed. • “To identify ... the main causes of the social conditions which promote the occurrence of crime and deviant behavior.” • “To examine ... the quality of life and the social and environmental conditions of high crime communities.” Must determine what Quality of Life means in the Bahamian context. • “To identify the problems facing our young people” Who are “young people”? Which age group are you referring to? These “young people” should identify the “positive activities and programmes” that would make them productive citizens. Constant monitoring and evaluation are needed. The public should not accept “words” that Urban Renewal 2.0 was a success without empirical evidence. By the way, if Prime Minister Christie truly believed in this project, the above objectives could have been achieved as a private sector initiative. Why wait five years if you really care .... Chinese proverb: Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
"Ancientwoman" my duty as a citizen is not to help Mr. Christie do his job. He presented himself as a man capable of running this country. He bragged that he has experience as a PM (even though he was incapacitated for a part of the time). Mr. Christie needs to sell his vision of The Bahamas to me and other Bahamians. I need to believe what he believes in order to do my part as a Bahamian. Unfortunately, statements he ridiculed has the leader of the opposition and on the campaign trail are now statements he espouse". I will judge Mr. Christie by his performance. He needs to stop the campaigning and begin selling his vision.
In the world of business, a person presents his/her resume and is expected to be both efficient and effective. Exaggeration of capacity to perform affects organizational performance and if left unchecked can destroy the organization. The PLP presented a cadre of individuals whom it claims are highly qualified, "the best of the best", and a Charter that will transform The Bahamas. I am not interested in Mr. Christie "very best". I want the job done effectively and efficiently. So far, efficiently has gone out of the window -- Cabinet too expensive. The Charter will be used to measure the performance. (Unfortunately, the Charter is imperfect. Some items were to titillate and are not based on reality.)
leadership. We know from the past that decision making is not Mr. Christie's forte. And judging Mr. Christie's recent performance-- the size of the Cabinet and the appointment of his Senators and boards suggest that decision making is a challenge. (It reminds me of today's primary school sports day -- everybody gets a prize.) Are there no other Bahamians who can contribute to the development The Bahamas under the PLP? Can't Mr. Christie sell his vision (this is what real leaders do) to Bahamians who did not run on the PLP ticket or are not members of the PLP party? When will Mr. Christie place The Bahamas before the PLP party or place The Bahamas before his friends?
urban renewal. The PLP should publish the evaluation report of the first Urban Renewal 2002-2005. The police received rewards... but was Urban Renewal effective.... did it improve the living environment and behavior of the residents in the area?
On a recent talk show, Minister Fritzgerald was backpedaling from the statement "double the Bahamas’ education budget". He said that "doubling the budget" does not mean doubling the budget. The Minister does not have space for a play on words, doubling means twice the amount or the past budget multiplied by 2. It sounded great during the campaign and is impressive in the Charter.... but it is an irresponsible statement.
In Australia, students residing in sparsely populated areas are taught via the Internet or by correspondence. Re: Acklins and other sparsely populated islands/settlements --- the Minister should tell us how much it costs to educate a child from grades 1 to 6 in these small schools. How much does it cost to education a child from grades 7 to 12 in these small schools. Too much duplication of infrastructure!!!
Minister Fritzgerald must tell the public what changes will be made to the education system. Changes to education systems take ten or more years before the effect can be scientifically determined. There are many reasons why children do not perform including the (Teacher oriented issues_ teaching style of the teacher, the knowledge level of the teacher, the teaching level (too low or too high), (Student issues) mental capacity or social/psychological issues. Placing students in technical classes is great if the persons who will be training/teaching is qualified and what they are learning are world-class skills and not skills to be a helper. For example, Welding (needed for the oil platforms), chemistry, physics, mathematics, English (for good communications), Geography etc. Academics is still required.
The Acklins road rehabilitation is a "work quality" issue. (tar on compacted quarry) That is why the work was discontinued. Acklins Islanders are aware of this. The MP for Acklins is aware of this.
Arob says...
This is a part of travelling... experiencing language, food etc. Learning new language is part of the anticipation.
On Fitzgerald backs return of Spanish and Literature to syllabus
Posted 13 June 2012, 12:25 a.m. Suggest removal
Arob says...
talking for talking sake: Apparently not much thought was given to the Charter, otherwise, the governing party's members of parliament and the senate would have something constructive to discuss and share with the Bahamian people.
accusations: Minister Gray, the public realize that you speak within the protected walls of parliament. You cannot be sued. If you really believe what you say, step out of the hallowed halls and make a press statement. You must be remindful, however, you are opening a Pandora's Box -- some members in your party's cabinet cannot 'stand up to scrutiny'. (If you don't believe me, just google.)
suggestion: Talk with the fisherman and find out which seafood we have in abundance and which seafood are not served on the Bahamian dinner table (Fish Fry). Once this has been accomplished, (if cost effective) find a way to harvest and export. I am sure that we have species of fish that "die of old age".
“If every man would sweep his own door-step the city would soon be clean.”
On 'Ingraham used cash to target me'
Posted 12 June 2012, 5:58 p.m. Suggest removal
Arob says...
Minister, the critical national problems in education are literacy and numeracy (our mathematics and English speaking, reading and writing abilities). Our citizens need to be competent in these two subjects. These are the educational foundations for a growing economy in an English speaking country. In my humble opinion, English Literature can be integrated into English Language where students are graded on both their ability to write (coherence, clarity etc.) and their thinking skills.
Encouraging our children to read does not require an additional course. Again, reading interesting books and poetry (written in standard English not dialect) can be integrated into English Language. Moreover this can be a part of the summer programme.
your reasoning: Spanish is a good idea, but one would think that visitors look for an authentic Bahamian experience. (If they are not looking for an authentic Bahamian vacation, we need to reexamine our tourism advertising). A part of the Bahamian experience is speaking the English Language.
Also, our national focus should not be on acquiring a second language in order to "spend our money" in South Florida (boost the South Florida economy).
Please give all Bahamian citizens (children) a chance to succeed ---- let them spend more class time in English Language and Mathematics. Let's raise the national competency in English Language and Mathematics.
I recommend that we look for innovative ways to integrate numeracy and literarcy throughout the curriculum.
On Fitzgerald backs return of Spanish and Literature to syllabus
Posted 12 June 2012, 5:28 p.m. Suggest removal
Arob says...
Perhaps we should ask the following questions:
(1) If thousands of Bahamians are unemployed, who will purchase these 1,300 homes?
(2) If thousands of Bahamians are unable to pay their current mortgages or rent, how can they purchase a new home?
(3) If thousands of Bahamians are depending on social services for social assistance, how can they purchase a new home?
(4) What are the criteria Bahamians should meet in order to get one of these new homes?
(5) Is this a continuation of the clearly established 2012 PLP government partonage system--ministerial positions, senate seats, boards, committees, directorship, parliamentary positions, home ownership????
(5) What about fiscal responsibility? Value for each dollar ($) spent.
On Gov't's 1300 housing goal 'unachievable'
Posted 8 June 2012, 10:40 p.m. Suggest removal
Arob says...
The Tribune,
Please discontinue using photographs of Senator Keith Bell in police uniform. I am sure that if you were to check your files, you do have a more recent photograph. Remember, Mr. Bell was a police officer. Now, he is a novice politician.
On Defence Forces could join police on the streets
Posted 8 June 2012, 10:18 p.m. Suggest removal
Arob says...
I am concerned. The heavy security details, permits for concealed weapons, both Houses, Boards, and committees filled with cronies, police motorcades with outriders, cars and jeeps combined, these visible signs bring to mind a Hollywood enactment of a third world African country with a propped up dictator. My fellow Bahamians, what have we created?
On Christie speaks of his 'vindication' from victory
Posted 7 June 2012, 11:14 p.m. Suggest removal
Arob says...
Dr. Rollins,
The government is urging Bahamians to stop hiding criminals. Sir, you claim that you witnessed a crime-- Dr. Rollins report your observations--turn in your photographs etc to the police. If you cannot support your claims, shut up! If you can, be a good citizen and do your duty. Isn't a vote precious! Your colleague Mr. Bell should also follow this advice. It is a shame that a man who is a former police officer is using a criminal offense for political mileage rather than bringing the perpetrator to justice.
Gentlemen, you were elected because you claimed that you could do a better job running this county. Do your job. You are not on the campaign trail and we, the people, we will not tolerate your inmature behavior and antics for TV and newspaper coverage. We see your game. Act like legislators not clowns.
On Rollins claims to have evidence of FNM election day bribes
Posted 7 June 2012, 10:59 p.m. Suggest removal
Arob says...
Before any steps are implemented scientific research (not intuition) is needed.
• “To identify ... the main causes of the social conditions which promote the occurrence of crime and deviant behavior.”
• “To examine ... the quality of life and the social and environmental conditions of high crime communities.” Must determine what Quality of Life means in the Bahamian context.
• “To identify the problems facing our young people” Who are “young people”? Which age group are you referring to? These “young people” should identify the “positive activities and programmes” that would make them productive citizens.
Constant monitoring and evaluation are needed. The public should not accept “words” that Urban Renewal 2.0 was a success without empirical evidence.
By the way, if Prime Minister Christie truly believed in this project, the above objectives could have been achieved as a private sector initiative. Why wait five years if you really care ....
Chinese proverb: Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
On What Urban Renewal 2.0 will mean for the Bahamas
Posted 5 June 2012, 7:29 p.m. Suggest removal
Arob says...
"Ancientwoman" my duty as a citizen is not to help Mr. Christie do his job. He presented himself as a man capable of running this country. He bragged that he has experience as a PM (even though he was incapacitated for a part of the time). Mr. Christie needs to sell his vision of The Bahamas to me and other Bahamians. I need to believe what he believes in order to do my part as a Bahamian. Unfortunately, statements he ridiculed has the leader of the opposition and on the campaign trail are now statements he espouse". I will judge Mr. Christie by his performance. He needs to stop the campaigning and begin selling his vision.
In the world of business, a person presents his/her resume and is expected to be both efficient and effective. Exaggeration of capacity to perform affects organizational performance and if left unchecked can destroy the organization. The PLP presented a cadre of individuals whom it claims are highly qualified, "the best of the best", and a Charter that will transform The Bahamas. I am not interested in Mr. Christie "very best". I want the job done effectively and efficiently. So far, efficiently has gone out of the window -- Cabinet too expensive. The Charter will be used to measure the performance. (Unfortunately, the Charter is imperfect. Some items were to titillate and are not based on reality.)
leadership. We know from the past that decision making is not Mr. Christie's forte. And judging Mr. Christie's recent performance-- the size of the Cabinet and the appointment of his Senators and boards suggest that decision making is a challenge. (It reminds me of today's primary school sports day -- everybody gets a prize.) Are there no other Bahamians who can contribute to the development The Bahamas under the PLP? Can't Mr. Christie sell his vision (this is what real leaders do) to Bahamians who did not run on the PLP ticket or are not members of the PLP party? When will Mr. Christie place The Bahamas before the PLP party or place The Bahamas before his friends?
urban renewal. The PLP should publish the evaluation report of the first Urban Renewal 2002-2005. The police received rewards... but was Urban Renewal effective.... did it improve the living environment and behavior of the residents in the area?
On PM Christie faces a daunting task
Posted 2 June 2012, 12:12 a.m. Suggest removal
Arob says...
On a recent talk show, Minister Fritzgerald was backpedaling from the statement "double the Bahamas’ education budget". He said that "doubling the budget" does not mean doubling the budget. The Minister does not have space for a play on words, doubling means twice the amount or the past budget multiplied by 2. It sounded great during the campaign and is impressive in the Charter.... but it is an irresponsible statement.
In Australia, students residing in sparsely populated areas are taught via the Internet or by correspondence. Re: Acklins and other sparsely populated islands/settlements --- the Minister should tell us how much it costs to educate a child from grades 1 to 6 in these small schools. How much does it cost to education a child from grades 7 to 12 in these small schools.
Too much duplication of infrastructure!!!
Minister Fritzgerald must tell the public what changes will be made to the education system. Changes to education systems take ten or more years before the effect can be scientifically determined. There are many reasons why children do not perform including the (Teacher oriented issues_ teaching style of the teacher, the knowledge level of the teacher, the teaching level (too low or too high), (Student issues) mental capacity or social/psychological issues. Placing students in technical classes is great if the persons who will be training/teaching is qualified and what they are learning are world-class skills and not skills to be a helper. For example, Welding (needed for the oil platforms), chemistry, physics, mathematics, English (for good communications), Geography etc. Academics is still required.
The Acklins road rehabilitation is a "work quality" issue. (tar on compacted quarry) That is why the work was discontinued. Acklins Islanders are aware of this. The MP for Acklins is aware of this.
On Standards, not money, needed
Posted 1 June 2012, 11:32 p.m. Suggest removal