Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
Left in the lurch
On Target
October 23, 2020

Left in the lurch

Two months ago, this column called on the policymakers of education, and by extension schools’ sports, to be real in these times.

That call was made in light of the realities that we were and are still living with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and these policymakers should engage in wisdom and let good judgement prevail, so as to facilitate the usual sporting activities for this the first term.

The norm is that the schools’ (primary and secondary) netball, football and table tennis competitions, are hosted during this current period, with some schools also having their inter- house athletics during the months of November and December.

Since that exposition, this column had learnt that it is confirmed that no football, table tennis or netball will take place in this the first term as customary.

But what is instructive is that among the reasons advanced by the Ministry of Education officials for the cancellation of these competitions, are insufficient time, lack of preparation by some schools and the money worries.
Such lame duck excuses should not be accepted, as some of the schools were proactive and were at an advanced state of readiness.

The ministry officials thus have displayed an infinite level of ineptitude, as surely there could have been at least scaled down competitions.

In essence, those who sought to beat the clock as it were, have been penalised for those who failed to get ahead with their programmes ahead of the commencement of the new academic year.

The ministry officials have shown up their laziness and lack of foresight, as track and field component, which is run by Team Athletics SVG, is prepping to be on the starter’s gun.

It is also more than incongurous that the same officials from the ministry are encouraging and given the green light for schools to have intra schools’ competitions, namely in football and netball.

Some of the physical education teachers who have that understanding of what sports mean to their students, have ensured that their students are engaged in some active competition.

But kudos to the Bethel High School and the St Martin’s Secondary School, for entering their football teams in the South Leeward Inter- Village football competition and the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College invitational football competition, respectively.

Thankfully, some of the footballers and netballers will have some opportunities to showcase their talents, as many are into their last year at these secondary institutions.

Also, many of them are involved in the various community football leagues that are taking place.

In the case of table tennis, fortunately, many of the young players are still in training and are having their internal competitions, which in some way is a soften blow in the absence of a national schools’ championships.

This is no way the same as being crowned the national schools’ winners. But the students and teachers are powerless at this time, as they have no control over the things they cannot change, and just have to resort to wait it out.

Those government officials who are in position of clout and decision-making seemingly do not understand that many of the students in the school system, their only claim to success and achievement, is sports.

They have little understanding of the psyche of students who depend heavily on sports to up their self esteem and add meaning to their attendance at school.

Many of these students who play sports are able to better their social interaction and develop other traits and life skills, simply through involvement.

Sporting competitions have that sociological impact on students, and have gone some distance in assistinng students with behavioural and attitude problems.

What is the back lash as a country when young people are denied outlets to express their God-given talent?

But moving away from the social implications of not having full fledged table tennis, football and netball competitions, one has to look ahead at an administrative concern.

So therefore, what processes will then be used for the selection of the St Vincent and the Grenadines team to the 2021 Windward Islands Games, should that Games resume?

Or is it that those in the chairs of responsibility do not have the capacity to think of such effects of no secondary football and netball competitions?

  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    Domestic worker killed at Long Wall
    Front Page
    Domestic worker killed at Long Wall
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    FAMILY MEMBERS of a woman who was killed at Long Wall say they suspect their relative was hacked by a person they all know very well. On Tuesday, Sept...
    NDP never built a single house in SVG – Finance Minister
    Front Page
    NDP never built a single house in SVG – Finance Minister
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE IDEA THAT HOUSING is a right, that every Vincentian has a right to safe and secure housing, and that the government has a role to play in ensuring...
    No bail for Police officer charged with attempted murder
    Front Page
    No bail for Police officer charged with attempted murder
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A POLICE OFFICER, who allegedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend 26 times about her body was remanded even as his lawyer argued that the Royal St Vincent and...
    New ULP Administration will roll out AI policy
    Front Page
    New ULP Administration will roll out AI policy
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A NEW UNITY LABOUR PARTY ADMINISTRATION will be rolling out an Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy to embrace its positives and guard against the nega...
    Sandy Bay Secondary School marks 20th Anniversary
    Front Page
    Sandy Bay Secondary School marks 20th Anniversary
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER, 9,2025 was a memorable day for the staff and students of the Sandy Bay Secondary School, which was marking its 20th anniversary wi...
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE ASHLEY LASHLEY Foundation, with support from the United States Government, is implementing a local-level project entitled “Community-Driven Strate...
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE ASHLEY LASHLEY Foundation, with support from the United States Government, is implementing a local-level project entitled “Community-Driven Strate...
    Skills not available locally, non-nationals have to be hired says Finance Minister
    News
    Skills not available locally, non-nationals have to be hired says Finance Minister
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    NON- NATIONALS ARE being hired to fill several jobs in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) simply because locals did not have the required skill sets....
    Montgomery Daniel squashes rumours that he’s sick
    News
    Montgomery Daniel squashes rumours that he’s sick
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER Montgomery Daniel has sought to clear around rumours that have been circulating relating to his health. Speaking on NBC radio on...
    $1.3 billion in Tourism investment to yield 2,000 jobs – Camillo
    News
    $1.3 billion in Tourism investment to yield 2,000 jobs – Camillo
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    The GOVERNMENT of St Vincent and the Grenadines is set to sign agreements for tourism investment of $1.3 billion on mainland St.Vincent. On Monday, Se...
    Bagga’ man pleads guilty to illegal gun, ammo possession
    From the Courts, News
    Bagga’ man pleads guilty to illegal gun, ammo possession
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A BARROUALLIE MAN will be sentenced next week after pleading guilty to being in illegal possession of a firearm and eight rounds of ammunition. Demron...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok