Education is the only way forward!

Editor: I often lament as to the reasons why I am still in the Diaspora and have become one of the brain drain statistics that Camillo Gonsalves wrote about in his very enlightening article last week. This topic is one that I believe should be brought into major focus.

However, as I was discussing the many reasons why I and many others are still in the Diaspora, which I am sure can be the topic of future letters/articles from many of us for many moons to come, I was reminded by an esteemed relative that we live in a global market place. It then occurred to me how outstanding our country has been at raising world class professionals and others who compete successfully in the global market place. This success is due largely to the outstanding Educators in our country, who give tirelessly and receive very little in return, as this profession continues to be one of the most underpaid and unappreciated professions in the world. {{more}}

I constantly hear my peers in Canada complaining about the educational system here and, in particular, how much effort and expense is needed for afterschool programs to bring their children to minimum standards. On the other hand, I think back to my own school days in SVG and we received the best for free!

In particular, I would like to say thank you to the following teachers, who have made outstanding contributions to the development of countless Vincentians: Mrs. Keizer, Mrs. Jack, Mr. Cain, Mrs. Browne, Mrs. Newton, Mrs. Samuel, Mrs. Bennett, Ms Steele and many many others who made significant contributions to our development. To this day their words still “haunt” me in very positive ways in my daily personal and professional life.

These teachers still to this day greet me like a long lost child and I am extremely grateful to have had their influence in my life in those crucial years.

Education is the only way forward! More to come on removing the barriers to leveraging the capability of the Diaspora!

Thank You.

Alana Gumbs

gmaconsulting@hotmail.com