Jamaican Government bending the knee?

Dear Editor,

Jamaica’s vote made at a recent Organization of American States (OAS) meeting, regarding the legitimacy of the Nicolas Maduro-led Administration of Venezuela, is disappointing. The explanation given by the Jamaican Government for its vote is due to human rights violations and other political issues currently devastating Venezuela.

As a citizen, I am also concerned by another recent move by the Jamaican Government which is deemed non-political; the decision to reclaim the 49 per cent share that the Venezuelan Government has in Jamaica’s oil refinery. I acknowledge the fact that an aspect of the 2006 agreement between Jamaica and Venezuela has not been fulfilled. Indeed, our petroleum refinery is in need of expansion and refurbishing. However, the decision to retake Venezuela’s share in Petrojam, followed by this recent OAS vote, are highly questionable.

Is the Jamaican Government bending its knees to the forces of external government agenda?

I am of the view that we have made these recent steps against Venezuela due to external pressure from the US Government, which seeks to further decimate the Maduro Government.

On the other hand, at a 2017 United Nations Assembly vote on Israel’s illegal occupation of and violation of Palestinian people and land, the Jamaican Government chose to abstain. If the Jamaican Government is concerned about human rights issues in other countries like Venezuela, why did we remain silent in our vote on Israel?

The USA Government supports the illegal occupation of lands and gross human rights violation of Israel in Palestine. Hence, a vote against Israel would have indirectly been a vote against US foreign policies. Additionally, the US Government also has an agenda to see a government of its choice in Venezuela.

It would appear the Government of Jamaica has been voting under duress, rather than making rational decisions.

Let us not forget what happens when the US interferes in other nations’ political affairs. Ask the people of Iraq, Syria, Guatemala, Pakistan, Afghanistan, etc.

The Jamaican Government has shamefully turned its back on its ally Venezuela. That vote at the OAS meeting must have been made out of fear and pressure.

Where is our sovereignty? Where is the democracy? mathematics to undertake projects. Such a requirement is troubling because it necessitates an understanding of the rudiments of mathematics, but recent data indicate that only 16 per cent of teachers are qualified to teach mathematics. So not only is PEP above the cognitive level of students, the curriculum also baffles their instructors.

Even more misguided is the view that creativity can be taught. One is either creative or unimaginative, and most creatives tend to be intrinsically motivated and highly intelligent. As a result, only a few in the population will be creative. We need to encourage the very best to become better, but not expect all to be creative, this is simply impossible.

What’s more, collaboration and communication are skills people develop over time, one does not master them at age 12.

Since the flaws of the PEP are evident, the present Administration should act judiciously in doing away with it.