Dear Editor,
Five lecturers from the Linden Technical Institute were not rehired at the start of the new school term on September 2. When I first heard about it, I kept my eyes/ears open for a clarification, then I heard it mentioned once on the Linden NCN newscast, but no details were given. It appears not to have had any impact whatsoever on the community – such a serious matter and it was hardly even talked about; it was as if nothing had happened. It was not until I saw the letter by Jonathan Adams in the Stabroek News on October 27 that I got some understanding of what actually had taken place and why the five were let go – “their services are not needed as long as student to staff ratios remain at the current level.” The five disciplines to which they were attached were: (a) Automotive Electrical Repairs, (b) Carpentry, (c) Masonary (d) Industrial Relations, (e) Commercial Law and Accounting.
With respect to these disciplines and the phrase “inadequate student to staff ratio,” I am forced to agree with Jonathan Adams that there must be some deficiency in the system (“administrative incompetence and lack of foresight”), since these are not dying functions about to become obsolete, but rather alive and expanding. What, since then has happened to the students from the classes from which the teachers have been laid off? Was any adjustment made to accommodate them? People need to be informed about what goes on at this institution, and this needs explaining. And why after being in the system part-time for 6-7 years those lecturers who so desired did not have their services regularized? Adams mentioned some critical things that definitely call for a revisiting of this institution: Quality of students and staff, relevance of programmes and most importantly, the human relations climate. He is also enquiring about double standards when he posed the question, “[do] all members of the teaching staff remaining on the job.have the requisite teacher student ratios?” Once again, if I’m to accept Adams’ words then I have to conclude that something is indeed amiss at this institution when a “drastic reduction in hours for some lecturers, uninformed and arbitrary reduction in lecturers’ pay” were also brought into play.
But there is an even bigger question here: where is the board in all this? From the few discussions I had it appears that the board is more dead than alive. It seems as if this institution is saddled with too many issues and grousers and this is cause for concern.
Mention was also made of the Institute’s historic value when Mr Adams states, “For the people of Region # 10 the Institute is not just another educational institute, as its heritage is rich…” and of course this can be endorsed by many Lindeners. This landmark institution, formerly called the Demba Trade School, made every parent proud upon learning that his/her son had been one of those selected for the coveted 20-25 slots as apprentices. The ‘Trade School’ as it was commonly called, was set up as a nursery for the then Demerara Bauxite Company. The school ensured that needed skills for the industry were in constant supply. Only young men generally between the ages of 15-17 were accepted for a five-year period after passing an entrance test, and a strict code of discipline had to be followed to avoid being expelled.
This reputable Trade School, first under the management of the Demerara Bauxite Company and subsequently under other management after the industry was nationalized, once set a standard unmatched by any other technical training institute in the country, nay, the Caribbean! It has produced some of the finest craftmen we have come to know, who have performed in a number of instances with unparalled distinction beyond the borders of this land. Without a doubt, this once prestigious institution could not have consistently produced ingenious craftsmen of high calibre by mere accident. On the contrary, this was achieved by having a well oiled and organized administration, astute stewardship along with qualified and dedicated staff, and as mentioned above, a strict code of discipline, all of which combined to make the institution sparkle with pride. This was the indispensible for
mula; there was no other way. But that was then, and it is now plain to see that the institution has undergone a metamorphosis.
First there is no more a permanent nexus between the Linden Technical Institute and the present bauxite company other than for a few overtures, eg accommodating some students for work study programmes as is customary during the August holidays, and the selecting of a few for apprenticeship employment as may be seen necessary. Further, there is no guarantee how much longer the company will remain in existence.
The most noticeable change to this institution is the large extension to its physical structure; a much wider variety of disciplines is taught – no more just mechanical/draftsmanship skills; there is a substantially larger student intake and a totally different criterion for entrance, etc, and I was made to understand a board comprising some 16 members! Yet for all this, the institution is not in any way even remotely a shadow of its former self; it glows no more, it is not inspiring and doesn’t even appear to be fighting to establish a creditable reputation. It is so unfortunate when those who have been selected to serve, by their actions or inaction can unwittingly end up instead doing us more harm than good. We on the outside cannot say with accuracy if these charges made by Mr Adams are factual, but in the light of these accusations and other disturbing issues rumoured, there is obviously a clear case for the Ministry of Education to intervene and have them verified and if necessary addressed for the sake of our community’s wellbeing.
Yours faithfully,
Frank Fyffe
