In response to the professor

DINESH RAMBALLY

I WRITE in response to Prof Ramesh Deosaran’s article, titled “Two New Age women,” in the October 18 Sunday Newsday, in which my name is mentioned.

Deosaran offered effusive praise to Minister of Education Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly and US Judge Amy Coney Barrett.

Let me state from the outset that my abiding interest in education does not spring from any parliamentary portfolio per se. I am a parent of two school-aged children (enrolled at the primary and secondary levels). I have been an executive member and president of the PTA in two different schools and over different periods of time. I am also the legal adviser to the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha which is itself a major stakeholder in education in TT, holding a proprietary interest in 43 primary schools, five secondary schools and 13 early childhood education centres.

So, to be clear, I reject Deosaran’s insinuation that I am “the seeming shadow minister of education.” But he would be correct in detecting that the business of education is close to my heart. Further, I make no apologies for continuing to stay hyper-vigilant on issues affecting education in TT. In fact, one can expect more of the same.

For the sake of clarity, the UNC shadow education minister is Anita Haynes, who offered a commendable response to the Minister of Education in the budget debate.

Deosaran made an offering of praise for the minister’s fashion sense, her academic qualifications and her energy. In the same breath he seemingly expressed regret that the minister will be burdened by the pressures of her demanding constituents to whom she has given her phone numbers – as have, I daresay, all other MPs.

He commiserates that it is “a continued pity that ministers have to execute the heavy demands of ministerial office yet serve thousands of constituents who do not always understand the ministerial pressures.” This disparaging view of constituents’ inability to understand what these poor ministers go through is, unfortunately, stratified.

It is my respectful view that the hallmark of excellence for any MP lies in the very service to these constituents, whatever the numbers in their respective constituencies. I am sure Minister Gadsby-Dolly will agree.

Deosaran made reference to the several areas earmarked for policy review by the minister, including the SEA, curriculum and the Concordat.

Again, as a dedicated stakeholder in education I wish to point out the obvious: while the SEA is noted for its pressured drive for high marks and limited first-choice placements, whatever replaces it must not be a mere exchange but a proper solution based on meritocracy and not geography.

Any changes in the curricula must begin by addressing whether there is an issue with accurate and relevant content or delivery or both. Content is crucial for testing, matriculation requirements and job placement. Delivery is also equally critical as we are now facing the age of digitisation of education.

Finally, let me say it would be rash, even downright disastrous, to obliterate the role of the Concordat and the denominational boards whose schools have had a proud and proven tradition of academic excellence for many decades. Indeed, their role in the academic advancement of this nation is not to be diminished, and I have already publicly signalled that any attempt to do so will be challenged before the courts.

I do wish the minister well and trust that her policies will reflect an alertness to the idea that we must not throw away the baby with the bathwater.

Deosaran also hailed US Judge Barrett as his next iconic New Age woman. She was nominated by President Trump to the US Supreme Court to replace the late, legendary Ruth Bader Ginsburg,. Ginsburg’s dying wish mere days before her death on September 18 was that she “…will not be replaced until a new president is installed.”

This foreshadowed the distrust that would swirl around any Trump nominee. Once appointed, Barrett will be the sixth Republican-nominated justice out of nine in the Supreme Court. The Republicans are trying to expedite this appointment well before the November 3 election so that any post-election dispute can reach her doorstep.

Many Americans are worried that Barrett’s appointment might signal the end of Obamacare; she has referred to climate change as a political controversy and has remained highly evasive on many other issues during her confirmation hearing. When asked if she thought presidents should commit to a peaceful transfer of power she refused to express a view. When questioned on whether she was of the view that it was illegal to intimidate voters, she stated she could not apply the law to a hypothetical set of facts, as if the potential descent of the US into anarchy was an abstract principle. She knew full well what was at stake and her reply was duplicitous and self-serving.

There is a compelling perception among many Americans that Barrett’s elevation to the Supreme Court may well be the result of a Faustian bargain. Keeping her composure about the potential butchering of a great democracy is a dubious virtue at best.

If this disingenuous disregard for democratic norms is the hallmark for the New Age woman, it is a doubtful honour.

Still, it was a pleasure to get a glimpse into the learned professor’s thinking and I look forward to his contribution to the national dialogue.

Dinesh Rambally is the MP for Chaguanas West