Letter: Please help our young male population in Carriacou and Petite Martinique
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| Published on Monday, November 2, 2009 |
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Dear Sir:
The plight of our young male population in Carriacou and Petite Martinique is a major area of concern and must be addressed with a sense of urgency before the situation gets out of control. Over the years we have seen a progressive decline in the economic social, spiritual, academic and technical development and growth of our young male population.
For thirteen long years under the NNP administration and former minister for Carriacou and Petite Martinique affairs Hon Elvin Nimrod , no serious and sustainable plans and programs were implemented to develop the intellectual capacity of our young men. The young male population in any society is the impetus for growth and development of the national economy. Young males play an integral role in the development of science and technology and subsequently the primary pillars of any national economy. Whether it is in the area of fishing, agriculture, tourism, construction, manufacturing, security , transport, etc. the contribution of the young male population is critical. It is with this in mind that governments should ensure the survival of this very important species.
Over the years there has been a steady decline in the academic accomplishments of our male student population. Gone are the days when male students dominated at the GCE / CXC exams. Instead more and more males students are dropping out of school in their quest to make fast cash albeit choosing the illegal route and getting in trouble with the law. In every graduating class over the pass five years the ratio of female to male is staggering.
The number of cases at the Magistrate court for petty crime, violence, drug use, domestic violence, etc. have increased over the years as the unemployment rate rises among the young male population. The major sources of employment for our young male are construction and fishing. There has been a decline in the construction industry and subsequently a reduction in employment opportunities for our young men.
Under the previous NNP administration large sums of monies were spent. not for the teaching of our young men life skills but for the construction of concrete structures.Many of our young men got employment on these projects not as skilled or semi-skilled workers but a labourers .This has the negative effect of keeping these young men at a level where they can't function when skills are required to complete a task in an effective and efficient way.
Our young men are blessed with natural skills and talents. The boat builders of Windward and Petite Martinique. The fishermen of L'Esterre. The masons and carpenters island wide. What is lacking is the necessary training and assistance for these young men to take their skill and talents to a new level. There are also some young men who have the potential to become great artist. Short Pree immediately come to mind. Where the NNP administration failed our young male population , the new Tillman Thomas-led NDC administration and new Minister for Carriacou and Petite Martinique Sen. Hon George W Prime must ensure that priority be given to all our young people especially the male population. This sector of the population have the greatest potential to engineer national growth and development, however they can become very destructive if they are neglected. What is happening in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago is a case in point.
The much talked about imani program was never design to captivate the interest of the young male population in Carriacou and Petite Martinique and as such over 90% of the trainees were female.No serious effort was made by the then administration to ensure a balance. While our young ladies were brainwashed in the Imani program , our young male were feed on a diet of weekly fete engaging in massive consumption of alcohol. It is not surprising to any one when at a recent NNP public meeting in Carriacou that the Parliamentary Representative and Deputy political leader of the NNP Hon Elvin Nimrod told party supporters that the " Happy Hour' will be back.
I am therefore encouraging the Minister of Youth empowerment Hon Patrick Simmons and Minister of Education Hon Franca Bernadine to put a bit more emphasis on the development of our young male population. The many youth programs coming on stream hasn't had an effect in Carriacou as yet. I am hoping that there could be some more collaboration between these two ministries and the ministry for Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs. If it means a special task force have to be establish to assist our young males then lets take that route. There is an old saying that behind every successful man is a successful woman, but if there isn't a successful men , then how will there be successful women? Life isn't just about making money. Happiness is not just about driving a sleek car. Building successful relationships is critical. But how will there be successful relationships when there are so many failing powerless young men. It is not by accident that there is an increase in violence in our society.
There seems to be stagnation at the youth department attach to the Ministry of Carriacou and Petite Martinique. We are all aware of the difficult economic times that the country is going through, however the department should come up with creative ways to captivate the productive energies of our young men.There is absolutely no serious engagement of the minds of our young men. I am very concern about the number of young men who take every opportunity they get to just sit down in a rum shop or engage in other illegal activities.If this trend continues unabated then our society will be negatively affected for decades to come. Sometimes I wonder if those in authority especially our leaders really care. Our society is void of role models and civil society seems to lack the energy and capacity to make a difference in the life of our young men. As a result the onus is on the Government to change positively the circumstances of our male population. The time for action is now, not tomorrow or next month or next year.
The young male population is approximately 1,500 and apart from Grenlec where males are the dominant players, females employees dominate in basically all other workplace including the teaching profession. I am not sexist, but this trend isn't good for any society though matter how small.
Areas where the Government need to train our young men should include agriculture, light manufacturing, fish and meat processing, auto mechanic, construction management , telecoms, IT , business management, journalism, culture / drama , security including customs, boat building , fishing, marine science and navigation. The NDC administration should fulfill its election promises to our young men and I am sure that they will.
In conclusion I am encouraging our young men take possession of their destiny. All isn't lost. Your education is critical and highly importance if you are to succeed in this competitive environment. Don't falter and fail. Compete at all levels with our hardworking females. Drugs, crime and unnecessary violence isn't the answer. To the powers that be don't neglect your responsibilities to our young men. They are looking up to you for some hope , encouragement and support. Please don't disappoint them now.
Foxy Stewart | | | | Reads : 685 | | | |
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