The answer is in testing

January 9, 2007

Dear Sir

An excellent speech was delivered by my learned friend Mr. Kevin Comeau to the Hamilton Rotary yesterday. Discussions have been ongoing regarding an easy fix – Aptitude Testing Bermudians from 14 years to retirement by a non-profit science foundation.

As a Bermudian living on the island 30-plus years, teacher (Bermuda College and Bermuda Insurance Institute) for nine years, mentor, lawyer for the last nine years I respectfully suggest that this solution can yield real empowerment to Bermudians, Business and the Island as complemented by a visiting work force.

A smart solution is important as Bermudians are not the major consumers of our economy, that is international business or tourism, yet they are a key resource in terms of human potential reliant on immigration protection. With Bermuda's working population between 15 years and 64 years of age numbering more than 43,490+ together with an expatriate workers number 15,000+, I would propose that all Bermudians between 14 years of age and retirement be offered aptitude testing so that there is documented scientific research available on our talented work force from upcoming high school college student body (both young & mature) and retirees. Aptitudes tie to a person satisfaction and professional success – as defined by Johnson O'Connor a non profit science foundation (www.jocrf.org):

Aptitudes are natural abilities and talents, special abilities for doing, or learning to do, certain kinds of things easily and quickly.

Some people can paint beautifully but cannot carry a tune. Others are good at talking to people but slow at paperwork. Still others can easily repair a car but find writing difficult. These basic differences among people are important factors in making one person satisfied as a banker, another satisfied as an engineer, and still another satisfied working as an editor.

Then there is realistic scientific data on Bermudians that provides access to scholarships, mentoring (both locally and internationally) and professional opportunities uniquely suited to our Bermudians rather than Bermudians being funded to serve business, even if they be unsuited for that profession.

Information of this quality would also assist the Bermuda Government in setting policy and address the needs of Bermudians, local and international businesses in need of human resources. Then who has work permits is then tied to the needs of business, opportunities for Bermudians and their development, not tied to numbers of expatriates or increasing the costs of work permits, a win-win! The primary purpose of taking aptitude tests is to find areas in which you have ability. The Johnson O'Connor experience is "that people tend to be more satisfied and successful in occupations that challenge their aptitudes and do not demand aptitudes that they lack."

The Johnson O'Connor aptitude testing programme assists you in "discovering the course of study and the type of work that will fit your aptitude pattern; it will help you to understand why certain courses of study and occupations are likely to be more satisfying or rewarding than others."

As their founder Johnson O'Connor said: "The individual, who knows his own aptitudes, and their relative strengths, chooses more intelligently among the world's host of opportunities."

Their website, www.jocrf.org includes a "Research" section that provides a comprehensive list of the technical reports of studies conducted over the years. The study on the stability of aptitudes may be useful resource.

Efforts and dialogue were initiated in 2007 seeking the support of the Bermuda Government (in particular the Ministry of Home Affairs, Labour & Public Safety (Immigration/National Training Board), Ministry of Education, Ministry of Rehabilitation (Court Services/Family Services), International Business and the Bermuda College to ensure Bermudians have knowledge about and access to this resource.

Having done my aptitude test in 1992 and encourages many others (including my students, colleagues, husband and children) to explore theirs I hope you hear from them about their successes. Please let me know if you are interested in knowing more or have any questions or need additional information through email mstjane@philanthropy.bm.

MICHELLE ST. JANE

Barrister & Attorney/Notary Public

Kairos Philanthropy

A note of thanks

January 15, 2008

Dear Sir,

I'd like to thank the 3,600+ residents who attended our Just for Laughs Bermuda shows this past week. Your support was astounding. Four sold out shows! We try and design our performances so that they will appeal to the widest possible audience. With that in mind, I feel that I owe some of you an apology. On our Thursday night show, one of our comedians performed a rather "racy" set. If you were offended, I apologise. I won't go into details or make excuses for why this happened but suffice it to say that I am sensitive to your values and assure you that measures will be taken such that this doesn't recur. Just for Laughs Bermuda will be back in January 2009 – if not sooner.

RICHARD SIMON

Chief Chuckler

Just for Laughs Bermuda

Remember the EPT?

January 13, 2008

Dear Sir,

The strange assertion is being made that government education in Bermuda was better before the primary school-middle school-senior school system was implemented. I don't think this is so.

Before the current system was put in place we had a number of government primary schools separated from a number of secondary schools. When a child reached the age to leave primary school he or she took an examination and applied for admission to a secondary school, with a second or third choice. The result was that those secondary schools which were perceived to be better received an avalanche of applicants and were forced to turn down many of them, who then went on to lesser schools. Berkeley and Warwick Academy were thought to be the top schools, with Northlands next and other schools following behind. This meant that children who did not attain entrance to the top schools were viewed as second-class students, including by themselves.

This was the problem which Senator Gerald Simons' Educational Planning Team set out to try and solve, and came up with the current system. At the top end Government designated two senior schools- Berkeley Institute and a new school, later named CedarBridge, while the other secondaries became middle schools. Warwick left the government system and became a private school, catering to three levels — primary, middle school and senior school.

The decision about the senior schools caused the heaviest debate at the time. Mr. Simons introduced the Planning Team to a Canadian educator who extolled the virtues of one large school. It would be cheaper to run per student and pupils could be given a larger selection of courses from which to choose. A house system would provide for internal competition. A great majority of the Educational Planning Team voted for a single large secondary, but under the Planning Team arrangements all members had to agree to a plan to the extent of not opposing it publicly. I was among the few who said they would oppose the scheme publicly, and later did so. A great many others outside the EPT opposed it as well, and eventually the Ministry decided to have two senior secondary schools — the situation we have today.

I believe, from a lifetime spent on the fringes of education, that the greatest success is not obtained by systems but by personalities.

I remember the remarkable successes of Howard Academy, particularly under Mr. Edward DeJean, which ended when the Board of Education decided to cut off funding in favour of developing the new Technical Institute.

Thanks to headmaster Ted Crawford, the Technical Institute proved a considerable success. To digress — the school took a group of students who, it was felt, were not academics, gave them extremely tough learning courses coupled with practical work, and turned out some of our leading citizens.

The idea of a college led to the end of the Technical Institute. The college prospered under the influence of educators like Mr. Mansfield Brock and Dr. Archie Hallett, but now seems to be having a difficult time.

There are other examples of educational success in Bermuda under the leadership of able, educated men and women with strong personalities. Unfortunately they are sometimes stifled, or not promoted to positions where they could do good, and there, I think, lies part of our problem. Another part is the poor relations between the Department of Education and many staff members in schools. It is sometimes suggested that a greater interchange of jobs between the two would help with understanding, and might reveal some misplaced teachers and misplaced departmental people. There is a precedent. Years ago Dame Marjorie Bean, a departmental officer, became principal of Sandys Secondary for a period.

Our government and private educational system overall has the advantage of various schools offering different sorts of education so that the student who can afford it has a considerable degree of choice. I question whether all Government schools have to be the same, although I would advocate a central testing body to provide tests for students reaching eleven and 16. Results from these tests should be sufficient to show which schools are not doing well, but the system would allow schools to experiment with different ideas. It is important not to stifle our teachers and principals, but to give help where needed.

Government has swung back in the direction of special schools for children with special needs, which seems sensible. Perhaps more ought to be done. Progress in education means hard work. Better means of enforcing discipline are important and remedies need to be available to the individual classroom teacher to put into effect immediately.

The answers are not easy but it is more than time to begin using more commonsense solutions.

Cooperation between the department, the school inspectors and the teachers through the system is, it seems to me, the way forward, plus a willingness to accept the maverick whose personality and ability makes him or her an exciting educator. Don't let them gravitate to the private sector, but grab them before you lose them.

W. S. ZUILL, SR.

Smith's Parish

Lets not lose the BSoA

January 16, 2008

Dear Sir,

It seems to me that all the beautiful things that we Bermudians have loved and been so proud of are being slowly whittled away, disappearing for so called (progress) when in actual fact it is The Almighty Dollar, to be replaced by Condos, Time Sharing, Offices and greed. To watch the desecration of these magnificent architectural treasures that the visitors to our shores come to see and have a rare glimpses into Bermuda's unique culture, is another reason why these visitors return year after year, not surely to see what will soon be the same as they can see at home!

What madness has taken hold of Bermuda? To lose Triminghams, Smiths, Waterloo House, a gem of superlative value, Horizons, Newstead, and now a madness of an incomprehensible proportion – the BSoA has been given notice to vacate their premises for offices, can one believe for offices?

The art centre is the very heart and core of foreign and local culture and talent, a City Hall unmatched in beauty anywhere in the world, a place where the community gathers, a focal point for entertainment and fun, to take that away for offices borders not only the madness we see today, but criminal. The Mayor said, Not on my watch, so who is the Corporation? Who sits on a board or committee and decides to remove The BSoA, and replace their space with offices? To save money? Don't we want to know?

Are The People not going to be consulted? As usual, are we going to be swept aside is this a done deal? Will they not be open to suggestions for them to find other accommodation for offices and leave the art centre where it has been for years?

There is not much excitement in Bermuda at night for the visitor, but we have always attracted a tourist who has appreciated Bermudas natural beauty, the charm of the people, the history of Bermuda. It's unique guest houses and architectural buildings, a consummate experience in itself.

Are we to watch this destruction without a whimper? Why are Bermudians so strangely silent about these losses? Surely one's heritage is worth fighting for, to see building after building being torn down, construction going up of appalling dimensions and not in keeping with Bermudian architecture at all, is so heart rending and sad, and we should not let it happen ever.

Let us keep fighting to save the BSoA from eviction. If we make our voices heard and we put up a strong fight and enough people express their views, we could save this centre for our children to enjoy as we have enjoyed.

DIANA WILLIAMS

Pembroke

BSoA has had 47 years

January 14, 2008

Dear Sir,

I read with interest the dilemma the Bda Society of Arts thinks it is having. Their Landlord needs the space and has asked them to vacate. This is the normal and accepted practice. Didn't it ever enter the Society's mind that this day might eventually come and that they should have made provision for the future? They have had 47 years to prepare for this. They need to grow up, get their own place and let the Corporation have its space back. Unless, of course, they are willing to foot the bill for the $750,000 addition they insist the Corporation of Hamilton should shell out to expand. Nah, makes too much sense. Artists – go figure.

ART LOVER

City of Hamilton

Question for Commissioner

January 15, 2007

Dear Sir,

I am an ex-Bermuda Police officer and have one question for Commissioner of Police George Jackson. What have you been doing for the past few years regarding policing this island which now requires this show of force?

JOHN BARNETT

Warwick

The past can't be changed

January 15, 2008

Dear Sir,

It is not possible to please E.M. Stovell (Royal Gazette's letter to the Editor 15th January 2008), and people who think like him – and that is just the way they want it. They base their arguments, rants and ravings on the past – and the past cannot be changed. Let me say that again; the past cannot be changed. It is impossible.

So stop trying to justify today's wrongs by always quoting yesterday's. If you could invent a time machine, I would volunteer to go back in time and kill as many slave traders and owners and their like as possible, I am so sickened by them, but until then I must live in today's world. Wrong is wrong, and the past does not change that. The past should never be forgotten – we must learn from it – but the past is not there so that you might justify the wrongs of the government of today.

QUO FATA FERUNT

City of Hamilton

Saddened

January 17, 2008

Dear Sir,

I was saddened by the attitude of 'Anonymous' in your letter columns this morning. His money driven take on everything is precisely that of the narrow approach and failure to understand values other than money values displayed by the present Corporation. One of the reasons there are now no commercial galleries in Hamilton is this 'greed is God' attitude that is so dominant in Bermuda today. The City fathers of 50 years ago had a far less greed driven approach.

Their vision was of a City Hall largely devoted to public service. Their City Hall incorporated a theatre, an art gallery, and a hall available for other public functions in the space now rightly occupied by the National Gallery. That such public service spaces would also attract people into the city who might at the same time patronise its shops and restaurants probably crossed their mind as well. They weren't fools. Our City Hall has been a centre of the arts for its entire history. It would be a tragedy for the small minded greed of the kind espoused by 'Anonymous' and obviously predominant in the Corporation to demolish so fine a tradition of selfless public service. Let the members of the Corporation try to think for once. They obviously haven't done so yet.

ANDREW TRIMINGHAM

Paget