Distinguished professor of linguistics and coor-dinator of the Jamaican Language Unit at the UWI, Hubert Devonish, is supporting the JTA president in his claim that English is not the native language of the vast majority of Jamaicans, and that Patois be taught in schools. This is partly a response to Minister Thwaites’ feeling that too …
Glenn Tucker: Contributor “The entire diaspora is still excited about the performance of our athletes at the Olympics. Unfortunately, some persons, like former International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive Dick Pound and Olympian Carl Lewis, insist on pouring cold water – and some mud – on our athletes and the sports programme. Dick Pound, a lawyer …
THE EDITOR, Sir: The first letter I wrote to The Gleaner was published on the eve of this country’s Independence. I was a schoolboy and the youngest Sunday school teacher in my church. Invoking Proverbs 14:34 – “righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people …” – I wrote passionately on …
LETTER OF THE DAY: Make next 50 better than the last Read More »
The Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) results have been received with mixed reactions. Some parents are quarelling and some children are crying. This is because they did not get to attend the school of their choice. Some parents would like the child to attend their alma mater, while others see some placements as a status …
THE EDITOR, Sir: Almost 300 years ago, Bernard Mandeville, the Holland-born British philo-sopher and satirist, described – in verse – a prosperous society (of bees) that suddenly chose to make a virtue out of austerity, dropping all excess expenditure and extravagant consumption. He pens the result this way: The Price of Land and Houses falls; …
Last week, TVJ carried a news story about a destitute woman raising two children in subhuman conditions. The story was given to us in three parts, with the matter ending when several persons and organisations made or pledged contributions. Stories like this one are brought to our attention regularly. They are discussed and solutions are …
The Gleaner’s comments on the jury system are long overdue. Many will insist that it is our most direct form of participatory democracy. But I have real concerns. The only qualification for jury duty in Jamaica is that one be on the voters’ list. I find that frightening. Your editorial mentioned Thomas Jefferson speaking in …
THE EDITOR, Sir: The Opposition party is now complaining about the conduct of members and supporters of the Government at civic functions. It seems that they are brought to these events to cheer government members and heckle opposition members. Last Tuesday, one newspaper carried a picture of what should be our country’s flag which was …
THE EDITOR, Sir: Harriet Tubman, the American slave, is credited with leading 300 slaves to freedom. In the twilight of her life, she was asked if she had any regrets about her work. A veil of sadness shrouded the face of Ms Tubman – whose exploits earned her the sobriquet ‘Moses’ – then she spoke: …
The Ministry of Agriculture and related organisations have come under fire for their receipt-book ini-tiative in response to the praedial larceny problem. The attitude of these detractors is similar to those who claim that casino gambling will not solve our economic problems. Of course, it won’t! Not by itself. But it is an important initiative …
