In this world there is a minority who are said to be the elites. Often referred to as the one percent these are people who possess the most wealth and power. They do not have to be people with a reputation of honesty, strong morals or even be the brightest though some of them may possess these qualities. In a world where one’s value and importance to society is often measured by what one possesses, there are those of the one percent who may think their lives matter more than the ninety-nine percent. Such a belief contributes to the ills that harm this world. Living in truth, peace, connecting with nature and people, balance, righteousness, justice, and reciprocity are what truly heals and holds the world together. Though the destination for all remains the grave or the flame, it is unfortunate that inequality will never be buried or burned.
In Guyana, what we may consider our one percent may include some politicians and entrepreneurs. The state of our country tells us that some of our politicians are not the brightest when it comes to governing a country. They may be skilful in deceiving some of the people, holding them hostage and having them carve their own destruction. Guyana is a place where a large section of the 99 percent struggle to live or are simply existing. We know that many who lead us are not righteous people for by their works we know them. We have seen how some have violated the people in many instances and justice has not been had. The recent story of the Indigenous teenager accusing a minister of a violent rape still hangs in the air. The people are still waiting to see this minister’s resignation since it was announced more than a week ago. We have seen those who have used this matter to further their political agendas while Guyanese who genuinely care about the young lady have protested and called for justice. It has also been reinforced during this time that even though those with power and influence may be guilty of violating the people, there are those of the 99 percent held hostage who will defend them to their deaths. The children of Guyana are largely unprotected.
Our children also recently received the results of the Grade Six Assessment. The one percent rule in Guyana is also applied to our children when it comes to these exams.
Every year when the results are announced the names of the top one percent are published. There are children who aspire to be a part of this group and parents who often live vicariously through their children. It is good to celebrate the achievements of our children. Surely the need for good news in Guyana we crave. We are so inundated with bad news which revolves around politics, crime, social issues, the oil industry, the cost of living and the general discontent and disunity of a nation, that we must intentionally seek light and to celebrate the beautiful things happening in our country. We must choose moments of silence to remind ourselves that we are a people who feel, see, hear and are having a human experience where life is meant to be an experience lived and not simply survived. It may be difficult in the noise of such a season in our country, but still, we must try.
So once again, this year we focused primarily on the one percent. Often when some of these children are interviewed, we would hear stories of them attending extra lessons or studying until midnight. Some of these children sacrificed recreational activities whether it was their own doing or by the influence of their parents. For some the Grade Six Assessment is treated like the ultimate milestone that determines whether the children will be successful or fail at life. Some children are so afraid of disappointing their parents and teachers that often if they do not achieve the schools they hoped for, they cry, believe that they have failed, and it can affect their mental health. Eleven- and twelve-year-olds should not be made to feel like they have failed at life when they have barely even lived. I know people who went to top schools and are successful and I also know people who went to the schools not considered tops that are also successful. I also know people of both groups who failed miserably at life. But some may argue that a child going to a top school has an advantage. The top schools may have more resources. This has always been one of the issues I have had with Guyana’s education system. There is inequality. While all children may have access to schools, all children do not have access to equal education. All schools should have all the resources our children need to access a quality education. And here I must take a moment to commend teachers. Recently I heard some teachers talking about using their own money to buy resources for their classrooms. I would assume that this is not happening with those who teach at the top schools, but I may be wrong. It should not be happening at all. The Ministry of Education’s budget was $94.4 billion this year. Teachers are already underpaid so why should they be using their money to buy teaching materials?
Education is not one path to be taken. There are many children who might not have made the highest marks at the Grade Six Assessment – they may not have even been a part of the top 50 percent, but they may be gifted in other areas. The issue is that we do not greatly cater for such children. Guyanese children go to primary school to write Grade Six Assessment and aim for a top school and then they go to high school and aim to write as many subjects at CSEC as they can, or their parents can afford. The number of subjects some of our children are writing now is perhaps commendable, but I also find it alarming that one can write over twenty subjects and retain much of what they would have studied or crammed. Life is about balance.
It is unfortunate that we continue to boast about a few schools mainly in Georgetown while appearing to disregard many of the other schools across the country. On the day the results were released the Ministry of Education published the cut off marks for six of what would be considered the top schools. President’s College was the only one outside of Georgetown.
Congratulations to all the children who wrote the exams this year. Whether on the one percent or 99, all have the potential to do great things. Hopefully one day we will change the way we do education in Guyana so all our children can achieve their full potential.
