Posted By: More posts of this qluatiy. Not the usual c***, please On: 7/3/2011

Title: PNymPILZwQeTwOM

More posts of this qluatiy. Not the usual c***, please

Posted By: jc On: 2/18/2011

Title: @This PlaceSucks

Even in the US, they are seeking to argue that children of illegal immigrants should not be granted US citizenship. The fact is that in most countries around the world, citizenship through birth is only possible where at least one parent is a legal resident. To do anything else in this country would certainly change the way we live and, quite frankly, the way other countries look at our passport. I would bet that the US would quickly tighten up its border against the rest of us if we gave everyone born of Haitian or Jamaican parentage here a passport. I have been at the airport when they have very aggressively questioned how some schoolchildren of illegal parentage had Bahamian passports. Let Bahamians open the floodgate to citizenshipin this country and we will see how quickly the world slams its door on us. If we are honest, the US and Canada simply don't want them there. If we choose to downgrade our passport, then, don't be surprised if the world treats us like they now do them. There are only several hundred thousand of us - no real threat to anyone - but there are millions of them and let's be honest, NO ONE ELSE IN THE ENTIRE WORLD is opening their arms to them. I wonder why.

Posted By: ThisPlaceSucks On: 2/12/2011

Title: @ Bruce Williams

Bravo!

Posted By: ThisPlaceSucks On: 2/12/2011

Title: @rick pratt

"If you would try to pay these Bahamian youngsters "reasonable" wages,instead of the minimum ,you will get them to work."
Are you for real?! Did you write that just to make ppl laugh? This IS the most ignorant comment on here. Take out your paper & pencil. Time to send you back to kidnergarten: You can only be compensated for what you KNOW or what skills you POSSESS. i.e. your value to the business. If you didn't learn anything in school and clowned around, you will likely be a garbage collector or selling phone cards on the street. Thus mediocre pay. If you learned and worked hard in school. It's likely you'll be a doc, lawyer, a manager, or even a CEO. And you will earn more. And we wonder why another nationality is taking over!!

Posted By: ThisPlaceSucks On: 2/12/2011

Title: got to be kidding me

@ real bahamian
bahamians are not violent?! hatians may be violent too, but dont try to exclude bahamians! no damn way!

Posted By: jay j On: 10/24/2010

Title: GET RID OF HAITIANS - SAVE THE BAHAMAS FOR BAHAMIANS

If we take a serious approach to getting rid of the level of illegal immigrants, particularly, Haitians, we could IMMEDIATELY save a great deal of money because clearly, public funds are being used to educate persons who really shouldn't be here in the first place. No public school should have 20, 30 , 40 or 50 percent Haitian or immigrant children. That is just an outrage. Too much of our limited resources are being used to educate and medicate these people. They will exploit us right into the ground if we don't take a stand.

Posted By: 100% REAL BAHAMIAN WANT BRANVILLE MCCARTNEY On: 9/25/2010

Title: LETS HOPE AND PRAY THAT HAITIANS TAKE WHAT THEY HAVE LEARNT BACK HOME WITH THEM AND STAY THERE

Posted By: REAL BAHAMIAN On: 8/9/2010

Title: TO RAGGED BOY

Do not compare Bahamians to hatians, we are a passive and peaceful people, hatians are violent people who have no regard for life. When we migrate to the US we do thid legally, we are not illegal immigrants, we do not drain the economy in any City where we live, we pay taxes, hatians dont they have children every year and save their money or send it back home.
Thousand of hatians are here in our country, who take over our land and think they have more rights than Bahamian. I think that it is only right and fair that hatians go back to hait and buit it up, they have been given a lot of movey, to do just that.
BAHAMIANS ARE PROUD PEOPLE WITH GREAT NATIONAL PRIDE...
hatians are violent and ungrateful people who try to suck everything from the Bahamas..and have no national pride

Posted By: Ragged boy On: 7/25/2010

Title: This is our land not theirs

Bahamians need to learn how to not be so xenophobic. Migrating from one country to a next country in searc of oppurnities is common in today's world .Ask the many bahamians who reside in the U.S.A as illegal migrants.

Posted By: SONIA On: 7/24/2010

Title: THIS IS OUR LASND ....NOT THEIRS

WE WANT OUR COUNTRY BACK FROM THESE HATIANS>>>>>

Posted By: Living in France On: 7/21/2010

Title: So Sad...(thank you College Kid)

I'm a Haitian-Bahamian living and studying in Europe. As I read some of the pessimistic comments made in response to this subject, it's really sad. I grew up with a family who did not have much but yet we were content. My parents however did not take education lightly, it was very important to them. They believed undoubtedly in what a good and quality education procured. How can a people who has for a motto, "Forward, Onward, Upward, Together," dehumanize another because of their ability to succeed or bring an extra boost to a thriving society? During my high school days, I've met Bahamian students who are equally gifted just as I was. And there were others who only cared about the current happenings in music, fashion, or just themselves. I respect everyone's opinion whether it may be negative or positive. I even realized there was a Canadian visitor who commented and he/she was shocked to see a hidden veil was lingering over some Bahamian people. Is this the image we want to eject to other countries? We have the time to discriminate others who were born on the same land as you? Education shows on a people and I am clearly shocked to see the way some of you act. Most of the comments that I read did not even show an iota of that. Grammatically speaking, no correct spelling, no coordination, no cohesion. So if we're talking about education stop casting stones to "little Haitian kids" who thrive to move further. Ignorance is like the flu very contagious.

Posted By: Vincent On: 7/21/2010

Title: Zyovebeosy

OK , ypu intelligent, well educated HATIAN...thanks to US that nyou were given the opportunity of a free education.....not your HATIAN GOVERNMENT. Why don/t you along with your other fellow Hatians, leave this Country, and go back to Haiti.
It is obvious that you'll otnumber us, most of these comments are made by hatians or hatian bahamian. Please stop identifying yourself as Bahamians when you;ll comment.

Posted By: Diplomatic Citizen On: 7/20/2010

Title: @Zyovebeosy

Sir/mam are you referring to yourself? Because I read through all of these comments, and there were a few Bahamians who spoke out truthfully. I see only a few ignorant ones attempting to cast blame on Haitians, and attempt to discriminate against them because of their perseverence. So, opening your statement by claiming that only "Dumb-stupid" Bahamians are commenting, that says alot about you, and your character.

Posted By: Zyovebeosy On: 7/20/2010

Title: Zoe Pound

It seems that the only Bahamians that comment on these are the Dumb-Stupid ones. Before you take my head off let me define stupid to you. Why would you make statement without actually knowing what you talking bout one who speaks without knowledge is STUPID!!
The Zoepound originated in the United States. In Florida the gang is well organised and is described as a Mafia. I can not speak to the way and the reason why the gang began in America, however, I lived in the nineties in the Bahamas and I can tell you when this gang begin and I can tell you why the gang was given life.
In 1991, the first victims of a bad law that states that a child has to be 18 in order to apply for citizenship in the country of his birth, started to get disgruntled. In the next four to five years kids started to feel the true repercussions of this law. The process is tedious, it can take anywhere from two years to eternity (seriously, there are persons from the 90's who still hasn't been given a response). Oh yeah, I forgot to point out that in making application, you may be rejected and the one and only country that you have known from birth has once again rejected you. Jobs were/are scarce for these kids, both private companies and public companies have adopted polices that states that you have to be a Bahamian (with passport) to work for them. This injustice is reflected in some of our major hotels (Hilton) where 'Bonified Bahamians out number Haitian Bahamians by astronomous figures. Travellling becomes difficult, because in many cases travel documents are not issued during this period. The college of the Bahamas refused accept our kids as bahamians, you know policy in all, so Haitian kids were required to pay double tuition. Scholarships were/are not available to us because of the citizenship issue. So lets get this right, kids were not allowed to work, they were not allowed to travel and it was nearly impossible for them to fund their education. In that case what does that leave these young people, dejected, discouraged, desserted and as prime candidates for a gang. Bonified Bahamians who are not under such distress claim that their gangs accept them (a sense of acceptance and belonging). Imagine Bahamian kids who are under tremendous pressure from society and truly have no sense of belong and identity, just imagine how easy it would be for your kids to veer to folks that show the love, acceptance and are going throgh the same problems as they are. Can you for even a second empathize with the Haitian kids! See what we do not want folks to say is, the social problem that we find ourselves in is directly related to an archaic law that should be changed. But it wont be changed because the politicians are afraid of the people, they feel that if they under take such a 'Monster' it will destroy them. If you drive a docile dog into a corner and start to beat him, he will start to fight! We (Bahamians) mis-managed the situation and now we want to throw the blame on Haiti, no no no, we created the problem, its a political problem that has manifested itself socially!!! Would some intelligent, educated (Bahamian) folks please comment!!

Posted By: Carl. L. Smith On: 7/20/2010

Title: @Open Minded Jamaican: Response to Liptor

Muddos..............u jam pack ma men.................

Posted By: Open minded Jamaican On: 7/20/2010

Title: Response to LIptor

And Liptor, which right minded Jamaican comes here and attends Eugene Dupuch Law School and COB?? What happen to the accredited Norman Manley Law School and THE University of the West Indies Mona Campus, UTECH, Northen Caribbean University? Only children of expats kill time it COB? Come on Liptor.

Posted By: Open minded Jamaican On: 7/20/2010

Title: Response to Liptor

Yea that touch you LIptor!! I came here to do what you can't do for your country. I came here to help your brothers out!I came here to educate and is still doing that!!I am the Jamaican - foreigner, Yardie.. who came here to help make a difference in your country to help make a difference because there was and still is a need. As a young professional if I were home I would own a house and who to tell what else? I wouldn't be here listening to the bickering about foreigners for everything that goes wrong! Mr. Bannister stated the facts Liptor guess wa? The most successful Bahamians have Jamaican roots! The money I work here goes right back to BEC and BATELCO and Water and Sewage. So I am giving service!! This reason I am here is because I love what I do, that is to educate! But I wouldn't arrogant individuals deter me. There are some sensible, warm, open- minded Bahamians who I would not trade their friendship for nothing in this world
One advantage your country has over mine is its proximity to the United States Of America and trust me ya'll thrive on that. Our dollar devalued because of mismanagement of our resources, not because we don't have any? And again I can't use the Bahamian dollar home! Learn from us Liptor!! The AVERAGE Jamaican who visits the Bahamas is the one who has no skill and therefore does housekeeping and menial jobs and fall prey to y'all. Liptor that would not be me!! I do not settle for mediocrity! Let me tell you Liptor it looks bad..
My schoolmates often ask me what are you doing there? They love nobody but themselves. That's the reputation ya'll created for yourselves and as I say again God lives here and he has a sense of humor!!

Posted By: The Tribune...reporting sense or just tryin to sell newspapers? On: 7/19/2010

Title: THE TRIBUNE HAS SUCCEEDED!!!

BOY THEY KNOW HOW TO PULL YA'LL CHAIN!
DON'T WORRY ABOUT SUBSTANCE...JUST RILE UP PEOPLE'S EMOTION!

Posted By: CollegeKid On: 7/19/2010

Title: @ That's the Truth

You're right, power is in the tongue. We need to buckle up. I'm a student abroad succeeding as the minority in THEIR country. I want more Bahamians to step up, so that we can evolve into a litte powerhouse nation. But quite honestly, we've got alot of work to do. Bashing the Haitians isn't the answer as I am sure you agree, being a God fearing individuals. Policy makers can do a whole lot to help our immigration problems. But indeed, my generation and those after have a great contribution to make to our country's growth and evolution. I just pray that some of us Bahamians won't allow ignorance to prohibit their own personal growth.

Posted By: That's the Truth On: 7/19/2010

Title: Prove It!

"Life and death is in the power of the tongue, and he that love it will eat the fruit thereof." You will have what you say. Therefore, I suggest that forthwith all Bahamians stop saying 'The Haitians are taking over'. Another statement you need not echo is 'Haitians are outperforming Bahamians in school'. Then again, someone pushed of an undocumented figure on us claiming '66 percent of Bahamians are of Haitian descent'. I know that these three statements are lies. Simply because it cannot be proven as the truth. "Forward, upward, onward together!" Bahamas! We have what we say. Therefore, I say "Many Bahamians have excelled locally and on the international arena." To God be the glory! For future generations, I say 'There will be many more champions from the Bahamas, raised up by God." Only follow righteousness, turn away from sin, and reverence God. Teach these things to our children. And all those far and wide who will listen. Again, to God be the Glory!

Posted By: Liptor On: 7/19/2010

Title: Response to :An open minded Jamaican

Hey bro, I don’t mind immigrants taking advantage of what the Bahamas has to offer, but at least have some respect whilst you here, and if Jamaica was so good, then why are you here, why is it that your dollar is worth less than 30 times what our dollar is worth. Why is it that all the Jamaicans studying at COB, or Euguene Dupuch Law School, fight tooth and nail to stay in the Bahamas once they graduate, because they know the life they could attain here they could never get in Jamaica. So brother, be appreciative of where you at, or you could just go back to the ‘yard’, and we Bahamians will be just fine without yall.

Posted By: CollegeKid On: 7/19/2010

Title: @ Real Bahamian.

Sir/Madam I am full Bahamian, with not 1 Haitian in my heritage. Indian, yes, American, yes, Brittish, yes. Nevertheless, I suggest you think before you type, and spell check afterwards. The ignorance is quite visible in your grammar and word usage. REAL BAHAMIANS speak and write English right?
A few of you do not know the severity of this issue. THIS IS NOT ABOUT THE HAITIANS!! This is about we Bahamians, and the lax attitude we take towards all things important in this country. If some of took half of that energy that was expelled during that Basketball Championships last month, and redirect that energy towards growing our children up with some sort of sense and morals, then we'd have a nation filled with future professionals. Instead, we bash, cast blame, and run right the hell out!!! Ignorance is not an excuse for failure, and we need to learn how to be accountable. And, @ Rick Pratt, you're an idiot, I must say. Don't show up to an interview with a resume filled with NOTHING SUBSTANTIAL, a polo shirt with jeans, and lack of proper speech, and expect to walk away with the job. Our young people need to learn professionalism. Yes, many do not posess the grades or certification, but business etiquette and work ethic can get we young people a long way in life. If the Haitian,Jamaican, etc.- descent person gets the job, they prepared more, and were willing and ready to work. I for one, am not hiring any lazy persons who feel as though they are ENTITLED to work at my firm because they are Bahamian. I'm black, Bahamian and greedy, but Bamboo Shack sure as hell aren't giving me any free chicken!

Posted By: Craig Mac On: 7/19/2010

Title: Response to Rick Pratt.

Rick unfortunately the name calling that you are trying to engage in will not happen here, not with me.
You mentioned that we employers offer kids or young Bahamians minimum wage. This is nonsense, note that the starting position on this job that was being offered is $8.00 an hour for a candidate with no experience, a candidate with experience would receive about $14.00-$15.00 per hour. Calling me a non Bahamian will not get me or you any closer to creating a better Bahamas. Let’s stop the finger pointing voting on emotions, start being better parents and citizens, take responsibility for our short comings and move on, it’s a long high hill ahead of us, we will only make it if we stick together.
One love Mr. Pratt, I am 100 percent Bahamian and very proud of it. This is why I am upset at where we are as a country because of this country that I love.

Posted By: Delores On: 7/19/2010

Title: NOT SURPRISED

This is not shocking at all, and lets quit blaming past and present Politicians on the lack of interest these kids have, like the old saying says 'you can take the horse to the well, but sure can't make him drink OK'. Being a past Primary School Teacher (1987-96) at Yellow Elder Primary, this is nothing new at all, I remember speaking with Mrs. Darville (Then Principal at Yellow Elder) she made a statement that still baffles me to this very date
Mrs. Darville: Most of these Bahamian kids and their Parents could careless about Education, however their Parents send them off to School in style and rarely check in on these kids progress in School, however will show up if the kid got a spanking for not behaving accordingly.
Me: Shaking my head from East-To-West in shame
THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE FIX STARTING FROM THE HOME, THEREFORE THERE IS NO NEED TO HAVE SOURGRAPES OVER THIS, THE TRUTH HURTS SOMETIMES, BUT WE CAN OVERCOME THIS AS A NATION, BY HOLDING THESE KIDS PARENTS ACCOUNTABLE AND NOT THE POLITICIANS, FOREIGN KIDS ETC.

Posted By: TheTruth On: 7/19/2010

Title: Respond to BAHAMIANS>>>SPEAK UP>>>

REAL BAHAMIAN, Please explain to me how Haitians are "dragging the economy". And then in your response, please then explain to me how YOU contribute to the economy? What taxes are taken out of your paycheck? How do YOU pay for public schools? How do YOU pay for the clinics and hospital? Please think about your answer before you respond.

Posted By: REAL BAHAMIAN On: 7/19/2010

Title: BAHAMIANS>>>SPEAK UP>>>.

I wish more bahamians would make a comment on this issue. ILLIGIAL IMMIGRANTS Are destroying with
country. I am sue that the majority of you are o
who commented are of hatian decent, i do admire that about you'll...lolaty...
I want to ask you'll hatiasns this question...do we come to your Country and take advantage of you system, do we have a child every year in your country, we are sick and tired of how you'll are draging our economy and country down.Dont lets forget the ZOE POND GANG, that even the police are afraid of.
So Bahamians allow these illigial immigrants to run our country, by been to passive.
See how many so call bahamians or hatians are commentin on this issue....where are you Bahamians
Make a stand against these illigel immigrants....

Posted By: Based Lord On: 7/19/2010

Title: Parents

It's understandable academics isn't for everyone. However parents have A LOT to do with a child's interest and ability to perform well in school.
Personally I feel that many of the parents of public school kids are on a whole other wavelength (mentally). They too probably were a part of the public school system and didn't care much for education. Naturally their disinterest back then would be the cause of their child's disinterest today. Think about it, parents not asking "what you learn in school today, you have any homework, you studying for your tests, when are your exams coming up?" My parents asked me these questions on a daily basis, and if I can remember correctly homework had to be signed by parents at the private schools I attended. Parents, when you see your boys going to school with their pants in their socks or clothes stiff as needles from spray starch what do you think is going on? where do you think the majority of your child's time and focus is?..or do you think that is cute. When you observe your daughters going to school with thick waist bands right underneath their breasts (to push them up) and 'mini' uniform skirts..again I ask what do you think your child is focusing on? Put time and care back into the kids of this country parents..they desperately need it..

Posted By: Natalie On: 7/19/2010

Title:

Oh yeah and Mr. Samuel Johnson comments were just plain ignorant. Why penalize other for taking advantage of what our kids don't. Even if you make non-Bahamians "pay" for an education, that still wll not make our children succeed any further in school. No wonder our children having problems in school with leadership like that. They need to remove his stupid behind from the board for that prejudice, inappropriate, and totally stupid comments.

Posted By: Natalie On: 7/19/2010

Title: Its about time!!!!

Thank you for writing this article. It is time that we as Bahamians understand the importance of education and take an interest in our children's future. We have over the years adopted a Black American type of mentality that things are owed to us and that we don't have to earn anything anymore. We look down on the Haitian community and have the same prejudices against them like white people had against blacks. Now that we see how other cultures are taking advantage of the great educational resources in the Bahamas maybe our kids will be embarrassed into doing better in school. I remember a time when education was the avenue to success. Nowadays in the Bahamas parents are more interested in themselves and making the almighty dollar that they forget how important it is to nature our kids to become successful adults. No wonder the crime rate is so high. Children have no direction and no one to show them that education is a doorway to a better life. Parents regain the responsibilities that you should have taken up the day that your children were born. Make sure your children do their homework, go see their teachers to make sure they are progressing in the classroom, and get them involved in extra curriculum activities. Don't just buy them everything they want or try to keep up with "Jones" TAKE SOME INTEREST IN YOUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE OTHERWISE THEY WILL LOSE THIER WAY!!!! Have pride my Bahamians and take advantages of all that the Bahamas has to offer. If you don't others will and we will lose what we worked so hard to gain on July 10, 1973, OUR INDEPENDENCE.

Posted By: Edward Hutcheson On: 7/19/2010

Title: Tell the truth

Some parents are dumb, ignorant, uninformed and lazy and they pass these traits on to their children. Their only time of significance comes evey five years when they get the political system to do unethical stuff in the name of whatever. These persons end up selling their children to the highest bidder and allow the curse they have placed upon themselves to continue through their children. WE HAVE TO MAKE THE REINS AROUND THE POLITICIANS NECKS SHORTER AND INTRODUCE AN ACCOUNTABILITY LEVEL FOR THEM.

Posted By: Diplomatic Citizen On: 7/19/2010

Title: Diplomatic Citizen

The problem that we have here in the Bahamas, is that the ignorant persons are the ones who have the most to say. My parents as well as my grandparents were born in the Bahamas. My great-grandparents too were born in the Bahamas, with the exception of my great-grandfather, who was a British Plantation owner on one of the family islands. My grandfather was a nice looking- bright skinned man, and never once was categorized or discriminated against because of his heritage. I say that to say, we as Bahamians do have a right to defend our land, however, we must be careful how we discriminate against persons in this country. To speak strictly on this article, I totally agree with the Minister. My father & my aunt are public high school administrators in Nassau, and it is true that children of immediate Haitian descent are, overall, performing well. That is not to say that Bahamians are not doing well, but they can do much better. Who do you think are the first parents to register their children in the public school sector? Haitian parents are at those schools from April and May registering their children for school, meanwhile, some Bahamian parents wait until the END of summer to register their child. And then, when the system is completely clogged, Bahamians carry on bad, and scream that their child is ENTITLED a seat. This may be true, but why were you so lazy in registering them in time? It's about time that Bahamian parents start to take more initiative in their children's education. I attended private schools, and my parents were on top of me to do well. My mother was not priviledged to attend college, or to obtain GCE's, but she understood the importance of a quality education, and that coupled with my dad being an educator, caused me and my sister who recently graduated from highschool to excel academically. I can take a look around my extended family, my former neighborhood (the Grove), as well as my church, and in those areas alone, not enough emphasis is placed on education. Parents don't push their kids enough to excel in school for whatever the reasons may be; lack of personal education, disinterest, busy schedules etc. Haitian parents are privy to a great advantage here in the Bahamas, and because they know the great value of education, and what it could do for child's future, they will work their way to the grave in order to ensure their kids a better future than their own present situations. Bahamians, we need to stop casting blame. I am a Bahamian/Caribbean/Black Gal studying at a predominantly white university in the U.S. FYI, the international kids are the ones that are becoming the Resident Assistants, and obtaining the scholarships, and getting the oncampus jobs. When you are outside of your element, you work your tail off to not only prove yourself to others, but to also give you leverage for when you have to enter a very harsh and RACIST world, and fight for paid positions which may have been denied to you because of your ethnicity HAD NOT you been formally educated, and posess esteemed certifications. The problem is not the teachers, or the Minister of Education. Okay, if the system is too clogged, that is for our IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT to crack down on their regulations, and ensure that persons attempting to enter the country illegally never touch our soil. Let us properly monitor our work permits and passport issuances, and deal with these persons accordingly, and in a HUMANE manner. But, my people, we are too lazy. Parents, quit with the outlandish apparel and gagets you buy your kids who are not performing, quit rewarding their complacencies and in some cases, their rudeness and disgusting behaviors, and start disciplining them and training them to be successful Bahamian citizens. If you can take half of that energy you expel when defending your disgusting child when they get into trouble at school, or preparing them for a non-deserving prom, or supporting their bad habits and activities, or buying them thingssssss which they do not NEEED or DESERVE, and place that energy into supporting their principal and teachers, and helping them to help your child excel, then our public education system will be much better off.
PS. Despite Immigration's downfall in regulating illegal immigrants, once their kids are born here, those children are entitled to an education. If you don't want them here, then officials must do their jobs to ensure that those persons do not have the time to have so many children here in the country in the first place.

Posted By: Edward Hutcheson On: 7/19/2010

Title: Tell the truth

We need to get it right. Most immigrants coming into this fair land have to contend with their children struggling with classrooms of 150-300 children. They come to Nassau and see classes "overfilled" with 40 students. Gosh, Golly, Gee Whiz. The persons who are griping about the Haitian kids grabbing all the awards do not really have to worry about these children competing with their kids in later life because they usually have to leave the country if they want to continue their education, but then they may have to deal with them if they come back to the Bahamas as Doctors.
The mistake we have made is that we put the polticians in charge of the schools to the extent that cerain unqualified persons can only an award or scholarship if a particular political party is in power. Does that sound familiar? It was back in the late sixties when a newly elected administration, threw out the "Royal Readers" and the "West Indian Readers" and replaced them with an outdated American version of something they thought was similar. The UBP may have had their issues but they did place a premium on education. Maybe they were not aware but the combination of those two books gave public school students a balanced view, and this was thrown out in favor of what many now see as an underlying socialistic philosophy. It was also ther start of social promotion. The new minister has it rigth but it apparent that the old probems are still alive - when a parent states publically that "some" of the students are getting all of the awards and the Bahamian students are getting none. This situation is an indicator of some of the changes that need to be made to the psyche of some of us - the politicians have messed us over and we are paying the price. Meritocracy has to be re-introduced to our education culture, it is not just for private schools.

Posted By: An open minded Jamaican On: 7/19/2010

Title: Boy it hurts but hush!! Lol!!

Boy that hit y'all ay? 50 posts? And that's the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Minister Bannister said the truth."Our people live at a very high standard with a low level of education. And PLEASE FOR GOD ALMIGHTY'S SAKE, please don't even compare the level of education in JAMAICA with the level of education in the Bahamas.
When it comes to migration and y'all, y'all get touchy! Ya'll aint see how these countries y'all talking about progressing! Bahamas going to IMF and Jamaica passing IMF tests! Who would think that? Word to the wise... Bahamas is a young country... we are living in a global world...... be open minded. Ya'll say God lives here? He has a sense of humor too!!

Posted By: ajks On: 7/19/2010

Title:

To 'TheTruth' , Bruce Williams and 'DeeM' along with a few others: You all made the most sense in a senseless forum. It is absolutely disgusting, mind-boggling and just plain embarrassing to hear what our fellow bahamians are saying. Can't you see why we are in this mess? Stop blaming others for your problems. I graduated from high school about 5 years ago and went to school with a few haitians who always excelled academically, a few that gained head boy and girl titles. Today, the company where I work employs a haitian who is constantly the brunt of everyone's jokes and ridiculed on a daily basis. I understand the strain on health and education (hell, at least they are making use of it) , but that is a different issue altogether from racism. That is what this comes down to: pure racism. Isn't this reminiscent to some of the racism spewed at black bahamians from before my day til now ? How can we not see the similarities? How can you shun these people so easily and be so cruel and call yourselves CHRISTIANS??! NOTHING could be further from the truth. Bahamians, please , stop kidding yourselves. The amount of time my co-workers spend talking about Haitians is astounding. As another person stated, if a Bahamian woman gives birth in another country, how we can say that child doesn't have a right to citizenship where it was borm? We are only digging ourselves into a bigger hole where people are growing up with no identification and thus less chance to making a positive impact in the Bahamas. And let's not forget the illegal Haitians that some are hiring, we complain about them on the Tribune's website, but we pay them when we get home this evening. Stop with the double standard and STOP WITH THE RACISM. You are fueling hatred and ignorant views about a large number of immigrants--not a wise combination in my view. Let's work together to combat the immigration problem but at the same time be more accepting and loving to our neighbour. In terms of the education, bahamian parents need to invest more time in their children. Children are not disposable material items, we need to instill proper morals and teach the value of an education to them.

Posted By: J.C. On: 7/19/2010

Title: Response to Cordell Thompson

A large part of this problem is that we need to be realistic and manage expectations. Citizenship is not something that children of illegal immigrants - regardless of where they are from - should be granted automatically or easily. They are NOT stateless - they are Haitian in behaviour, belief and socialization. When travelling recently, the US Immigration officer made a very important point to me. The Bahamas needs to be very selective in who they give a passport to. Bahamians are still treated in a more positive way than any other Caribbean national when entering the US or any other country largely because we are small in number and have always been considered friendly and peaceful. Although some Bahamians overstay their welcome in other countries and live there illegally, they are the exception and not the rule. If we think giving citizenship to these people will help, we are dead wrong. All that will do is to make the US and others treat us as they now treat them. Do you see Uncle Sam opening the doors to them? No and why not? It's because they know the mayhem they cause in their country - especially in South Florida and on the East Coast with their violent gangs. Make them citizens!?!? Are you crazy?!?!? Are you watching what's happening in all of the developed countried around the world? They are moving to limit the amount of immigrants in their country and for most of the G8 countries and OECD countries, children of illegal immigrants are NOT given citizenship. Take a stand, people. These people have come here with their beliefs and their false gods. We should have kept ourselves separated from them lest they cause us to incur the wrath of the true and living GOD. Immigration should be the number 1 concern of every Bahamian. If the FNM has any hope of winning the next election, Bran McCartney needs to be at the top of the ticket. He is a father and a patriot. That's what we need.

Posted By: TheTruth On: 7/19/2010

Title: Excuse Me?

I am Bahamian. My parents are Bahamian, so are my grandparents, great grandparents and so on and so forth. I wanted the people who made these negative comments before to know my heritage before I speak. To the Joannes, Debras, and 100% Bahamian 100% for Bahamass of this chat room, First of all, I really hope none of you claim to be Chrisitian, because Jesus would have NEVER carried on and spewed such hatred. He came to give the gospel to ALL of mankind, not just the Jews. In case you didnt know, prior to Him, you could not claim God as your Father because of your heritage.
Secondly, who do you think you people are? You were simply born in the Bahamas by the grace of God and we are ALL immigrants. The only difference between Haitians and Bahamians is the slave boats drop us off on this island, and drop them on Haiti. So all of you need to get off of you soap box and stop looking down at people.
Thirdly, it saddens me how we Bahamians forget our history. We forget out slave masters, and rich British white people said these exact same negative comments about us before majority rule.
I am so sick and tired of Bahamians talking about all Haitians do is suck the country dry and dont contribue....lets think about this statement, how do you financially contribute to the Bahamas????? what taxes do you pay????? National insurance doesnt count because that goes towards YOUR disabilty and YOUR retirement. In case you didnt know, most of the taxes comes from IMPORTS. This tax is then reflected in the price of things, so the average Bahamaian or anyone living in this country finacially gives to the country buy purchasing products. So please tell me, how you Joanne, Debra, 100% Bahamians are finacially contributing to the Bahamas, where a Haitian is not?
Then please think, use your brain and try to imagine the days before majority rule, where your parents, or grandparents lived in the Bahamas, were born here, but yet had no say in the direction of the nation. They couldnt even Vote. Those white knights didnt want your parents, grandparents to be educated; they didnt want them to have good jobs, they ddint want them in government or anything. What do you have to say about that?

Posted By: cordell thompson On: 7/19/2010

Title:

This new report has created a fdrestorm as it shopuld. Hog Plum..I totally agree with you..but I want to isssue a warning ...we have over 10,000 "stateless" persons of Haitian_haitian, Haitian-Bahamian parentage. It's not fair. We have a screwed up constitution and one day we are going to have to pay a heavy price..politically..socially and it may even get violent. The Haitians didnt come here to sit on their asss. They did the jobs Bahamian walked away from and they contritbuted..we had better wake up to this fact and make these people citizens. They also expamnded the gene pool..Haitan Bahamians are better looking that Bahamian Bahamians. Take that. I hope the Samuel Johnson here is not my good friend Bookie Johnson.

Posted By: Joanne On: 7/19/2010

Title: DEPORT ILLIGAL IMMIGRANTS AND THEIR CHILDREN

Yes, Branmville was the only one who was interested in doing anything with illegal immigrants, he needs to be the next Prime Minister. During the debate, Moncur said that Hubert, Perry and The Governer General (Foulkes) were of Hatian decent, and there areothers as well, in both parties. WHen Hatians climb the ladder in this country, they pull up all of their Hatian counterparts, they are loyal. Bahamians do not have that kind of lolaty. THe law in our Country should change, any illegal immigrant who has children in this couintry should be deported along with eheir children, do you know that Hatians have children every nine months, as soon as they drop one , another in in their belly, it is disgusting. They have a plan....to outnumber us,. In some countries yopu are not allowed to have children in their Country, even if you are on work permit, you will have to go back to your country to have your baby. These hatians are not helping our country or our economy. They take full advantage of our social services, and send all of their money that they make here in the bahamas back to hati. THese hatians squat on our land with their shanty villages, and take claim to it. Our leaders are not protect us, FNM OR PLP, not one of them are addressing this issue. They need to be voted out, and put someone in place who will address thjis IMMIGRATION PROBLEM.
Since we have so many illegal immigrants ion our country, you see how the crime rate has exclated? Bahamians are bacialy not cruel, but this mixed blood called Hatian Bahamian, they are worse than the real hatians. What I dont understand, is why Bahamians are having children with them.
You are right, this problem is 10 years to late, so what are we going to do....alow them to drive us out of our country?
Yes Bashamians we need to stop being so passive, if we dont do something about our illigal immigrants, we will be the under dogs in our own country.

Posted By: Bahamian On: 7/19/2010

Title: WHAT ABOUT THE PRIVATE SCHOOLS?????

Private school children outperform public school children an private school children are predominantly bahamian...stop throwin all bahamians unda da bus...there are some bahamian students who excel and they deserve to be recognized...stop making ignorant generalizing statements about bahamian students and bahamian families...at least acknowledge both sides of the story

Posted By: SICK AN TIRED On: 7/19/2010

Title: WE WAN BRANVILLE!

PUT SOMEONE WIT SENSE ON IMMIGRATION

Posted By: LongLankyLou On: 7/19/2010

Title: This Is No Surpise

This story is ten years too late in my books. I can't believe people are shocked to learn of this. What's disappointing is that we are all to ready to blame everyone but ourselves. Lets call them what they are. These are Bahamian children born to non-Bahamians (be it Haitian, Jamaican, or whatever). They are outperforming their counterparts. I live in Nassau, and have lived in many of our Family Island communities. It's the same thing everywhere. The children of immigrants are taught from an early age to value an education. A lot of the Haitian parents can't read or speak a lick of English but their kids excel in school. Cousins and older siblings help where the subject matter exceeds the Haitian parents knowledge. The parents also show more interest in PTA activities than Bahamian parents.
How can we blame the government for this? Yes the immigration problem puts a strain on our education, and health care system. I like many others am not satisfied with the governments, or previous administrations feeble attempt to deal with the immigration problem, Mr. Bannister is correct in that no discrimination should be made by the administration, including teachers against children of Haitian parentage. The three groups we should blame for children of Haitian parentage excelling more than their counterparts are the Bahamian parents, the Bahamian parents, and if you notice a trend yet the Bahamian parents. We are failing our children. Bahamians don't blame someone else for your shortfalls.

Posted By: DEBRA On: 7/19/2010

Title: TRIBUNE SHOULD BE COMMENDED

IT is quite obvious that hatians have take over this country, I hope you'll bahamians see how many hatians have responded to thids article....you know they will respond back and say that they atre bahamians. The tribune can only write what was said by that minister, any you'll dare too say why the tribune wrote this article.....so you'll bahamians can see how this country is taken over by hatians...they are in every Ministry, and you can bet your life that they stick together, check next year how many hatians are employed . They look out for one another. Who do you think is responsible for a lot of the crime in this country,...ahtians or hatian decent, thery dont care about life, they will kill you at a bat of your eye. There is a serious hatian gang in this counntry, what are the police doing about this. Dont forget that there are a lot of Hatian Bahamians who are police officers, immigration and Customs and other ministeries. They pan to organize themselves and take over this Country. I agree with James and Donald, we have to ensure that our Leaders are Bahamians.
Branville Mccartney is the only man for these job of illegial immigrants, he need top be the next Prime Minister, we have to take our country back from these Forienrs, they need to go back to their Country. Why do we have to be burbded with them. Hubert Ingraham, why are you not doing something about this problem, and perry christe, you are indeed no better, because you would not even addres it. Or is it that you'll are prtecting them, are you'll decendents as well. WELL Bahamians ,. I guess ther is no one to protect us ....where are we going to go when they take over.

Posted By: History student On: 7/18/2010

Title: There is an old saying History repeats itself. But is it really.

There is an old saying History repeats itself.
But is it really.
I think its the people or few people in power or who had power who makes the mistakes and makes History look like an IDIOT!

Posted By: Hog Plum On: 7/18/2010

Title: Take Responsibility for Your Actions

I have not read all of the comments, but for the few that I have read, I am extremly saddened. My fellow Bahamians have hit an all time low, when they blame politicians for having not educated their children. If Bahamians and Hatians are attending the same schools, and the Haitians are excelling while the Bahamians wallow in mediocrity, then it would seem that Bahamian parents are to blame, not the system.
Bahamians have this sense of entitlement; as if they do not need an education to get by in "their country". It is what is referred to in the British Virgin Islands, where I currently reside as the "Born Here" mentality. I born here, so I do not have to exert much effort. Look, you get out of life what you put into it and furthermore, there are Bahamians living in the United States, many having stayed illegally and over time, have been able to work their way into the system. Those who are ambitious do well, with no hard feelings from equally ambitious Americans and those of the mentality f many who have posted here get themselves on welfare and live the same life they would live in the Bahamas.
We need to mature as a people and realize that Haitians are no less humans than are Bahamians and furthermore, if we really allow ourselves to learn about Haiti's history, we will begin to hold Haitians in rather high regard. As a Bahamian of 100% BBahamian parentage and living in a foreign land,I can truly say that we in the Bahamas have a long way to go. It is time for us to understand that education is the key to the future. A future who's economy will be based on technology and knowledge. If Bahamians just continue to sit back and complain about the Haitians, pretty soon, the Haitians will control the Bahamian economy.

Posted By: liptor On: 7/18/2010

Title: baseless

Where is the study, surveys, etc. to backup the claims made in this article. This just seems to be the opinion of a few or perhaps many, but still it is stated as if it is fact, or as if there were some study done to backup such claims. The article would make it seem like all Haitian children excel academically, and all Bahamian children fail, where the truth more than likely is somewhere in between those two extremes.

Posted By: Stanley Jackson Sr. On: 7/18/2010

Title: @ Visiting from Toronto

What have your people done to the Canadian Indian?? A??

Posted By: 100% Bahamian 100% for Bahamians On: 7/18/2010

Title: THREE STOOGES ARE AT FAULT!

The three stooges - Pindling, Ingraham & Christie allowed illegal Haitians to exploit our education, health and social systems while tax paying Bahamians paid the bill.

Posted By: DeeM On: 7/18/2010

Title: Very interesting responses to this topic.....

It seems that many of the persons who made negative cmnts about what Mr.Bannister has said for some reason feel inferior to so called NON-Bahamians. I myself was born in the Bahamas to Haitian parents and I can tell you my parents always told us,"don't mind your friends,go to school to get a good education" When it came to purchasing books and preparing for the opening of school, it was a serious matter. Reportcard day my father would worn us from weeks before,that he would deal with us if we did not do well. I said all of that to say,while we were afraid of the consequences of a bad grade, this made us value our education.
In regards the reason my parents came here, I can tell you,it was NOT to beg anyone for bread or a place to lay their heads. It was simply to find a person and or company that would allow them to work for an honestly earned pay, so that they could provide for us. My parents not only took care of us but, also lent a helping to some of their Bahamian neighbors when some of their fellow country-men turned a blind eye. So please do not make a ignorant statements and imply that Haitians are only here sucking off of The Bahamas.
Do you realize that your children are reading your comments. Do you know that your children are listening to the hateful and racists things that you say daily as if it were normal? What are teaching them? Not to love their neighbors? Are you teaching them that they should HATE a person because they want to excel and make something of themselves? Do you know that by saying all of these things, my unborn children could be subjected to bullying and violence because they DO NOT fit in the same box that you would have taught your children to enclose themselves in?
GOD CREATED THE BAHAMAS NOT PEOPLE! STOP TEACHING OUR CHILDREN TO HATE OTHERS BECAUSE THEY ARE DIFFERENT!

Posted By: Stanley Jackson Sr. On: 7/18/2010

Title: CAUGHT YOU!!

Mr Bannister, YOU, the FNM and The PLP are all total failures! TAX PAYING Bahamians PAID both LOUSY GOVERNMENTS to educate their children....THEY FAILED....Now these jackass's have the balls to make a front page statement suggesting that Bahamians are to blame. Who should be blamed for allowing illegal Haitians, Jamaicans, Latinos, Guyanese and Chinese to overrun The Bahamas? Who should be blamed for overcrowded schools by these illegal’s children? Who should be blamed for providing Bahamian children with a "D" average education in run down schools, with poor bath room facilities and no cafeterias? Who should be blamed for allowing The Bahamas tourism industry to fall from a lead position and the envy of the region to no position at all? Who should be blamed for The Bahamas not having an agriculture sector capable of at least feeding our own people? Who should be blamed for allowing Cuba, Jamaica, Turks & Caicos, Dominican Republic & Mexico to develop thousands new hotel rooms and resort developments while The Bahamas still has hundreds of undeveloped "out Islands? Who should be blamed for B.E.C. failure? Who should be blamed for water & sewage failure? Who should be blamed for Batelco failure? AFTER 4 DECADES & 2 LOUSY, STUPID, IGNORANT, GREEDY, CORRUPT GOVERNMENTS HAVE TOTALLY FAILED.....You "leaders" now want to pass the buck, throw the people UNDER THE BUS and shift the blame for 4 decades of failure & absolute stupidity to the PEOPLE?? YOU – CLOWNS – FAILED - US!!! Don't blame the parents & citizens who VOTED FOR YOU….REPEATEDLY.. ...YOU WERE PAID....AND PAID WELL...TO L-E-A-D THE PEOPLE!! You IDIOTS failed and the state of the Country and it's people are evidence of YOUR FAILURE...PLEASE SHUT THE HELL UP Mr. Bannister! Bahamians need to figure out how to fix this mess created by the PLP and FNM. Firstly,.....GETTING RID OF THE TWO JUNKANOO GROUPS (PLP & FNM) THAT CAUSED ALL THIS CHAOS WOULD BE THE BEST PLACE TO START!!!! GO SUCK A ROTTEN EGG BANNISTER!!!

Posted By: Visiting from Toronto On: 7/18/2010

Title: Wow

I didn't know this takes place here in the Bahamas. You guys discriminate against kids that are born in your own country. Interesting.........hmmmmm.........

Posted By: free Bahamians On: 7/18/2010

Title: government

Couldnt say it better than you Chasing-History. Bahamian people and papers continue to make the mistake of refering these kids as Haitian kids, they are Bahamians born to haitian parents. At graduations these kids get a piece of plastic and a piece of paper that is worth CRAP!! It means nothing, who gives a dam about it, if you want to take it away go ahead SAMUEL JOHNSON!!! The true value of what 'Haitian kids' have lost can never be quatified. When they bust their tails for twelve years, at the end they find out that this as far as you you go, because the papers that they need to further their education was denied to them and maybe they would get it by 20/21, if they are lucky!! These kids have to look for work and they have to settle for almost nothing. By the time they are given a passport, so many lives have taken different turns, its impossible to leave for an education. In a truly civilized society SAMUEL JOHNSON would be required to step down or risk being fired from his board position. He can not and will not look out for the best interest of all of the students at centerville primary. it is the likes of SAMUEL JOHNSON that has ensured that Bahamians born to HAtians are excluded from programs like the CADETS!!! What brilliant minds we are losing. '' Any country descriminates against children labels itself as a babaric country'', says Desmond Bannister (Minister of Education). Boy Mr. Bannister you dont know how true this statement isand I wonder if you really understand the depth of your statement. Adults maim bahamian kids born to haitians, they smell bad, they dress like Hi-tians, at home these kids are given the impression that something is wrong or inferior with them because of their origin. Then they enter the school system where they are reminded on a daily basis by peers and teachers that they are Hi-Tians and therefore inferior. Then the government exclude them from programs like the CADETS. Mr. Bannister I assure you that we are a country that discriminate against kids and I pray that your fellow colleagues see that you are correct and that you guys decide to review your archaic laws that are helping to destroy our children and in turn our country. We need to find ways to make adults, parents and teachers accountable for their loose talks.

Posted By: The Tribune...garbage reporting! On: 7/18/2010

Title: The Tribune...reporting sense or just tryin to sell newspapers?

This is just another dumb Tribune story! No stats or figures, "senior government officials", "one senior official", "an official"... gimme a break! The private schools out perform the public schools across the board...what percentage of children in the private schools are Haitian? The headline is just meant to grab readers! The story is shallow, lacking any real substance! The vast majority of Bahamians who take education seriously make the sacrifice and enroll their children in private schools.

Posted By: Pissed off On: 7/18/2010

Title: So what is your point?

Strangenvestgar, you failed to make your point. Perhaps you should revisit this argument. Clearly you feel that people of Jamaican, Haitin, or Turks Island parentage are some how depleating the financial resources of the Bahamian govenment. Would you please address the issue of Bahamian young men and women who study abroad and choose to remain in those countries because they know that they can make a better life for their families and themselves outside of the Bahamas. Let us hear your take on the countless number of Bahamians living illegaly in the U.S., Canada, Great Brittan and else where. Do you see them as resource sucking, non contributing, low lives who don't deserve a chance? May be you should. Because they are guilty of doing the same thing as the Hatians in the Bahamas are doing- trying to make a better life for themselves and their children.
Your problem, as is the case with many other Bahamians, is that you (pl.) don't travel enough. Thus, your small minded, backward thinking, limited exposure brain cannot fathom the comcept that these poor people are not a threat to you. Clearly, you are not an educated person. Perhaps you should travel this big blue marble we call earth. See how civilized nations live, then repost your comment. May be then it will contain an iota of intellegence.
By the way, just what the hell is a "True Bahamian" any way? Are you stupid enough to believe that all of your ancestors were born in the Bahamas? I should hope not.

Posted By: Ben On: 7/18/2010

Title: to bahama lady

I love what you said. Bahamian parents need to step up and save our kids because they are honestly lost. Yeah there is alot of haitians in the schools and our country thats a fact. You can't blame them it's our dumb a** governments FNM & PLP who let it get out of hand. Bahamian parents focus on your kids, the Haitian parents are so don't blame them, you just do the same,thats my five cents!!

Posted By: just sad On: 7/18/2010

Title: so sad

It is really sad to know that in this day n age ppl still can't accept the fact that no matter what culture or race u are, we are still humans. I'm reading these comments n it just hurts me to see that ppl could be so cruel n hateful. Jesus never denied anybody. The article was about education but some of the comments were way off the topic! Not every haitian is illegal. Not every crime that is committed is a haitian's fault. Stop looking for someone to blame for your own insecurities. Shame on some of u ppl.

Posted By: Apathetic on the issue On: 7/18/2010

Title: Tangent

The contributions to this discussion unfortunately reward The Tribune for publishing empty articles such as this. As 'Irritated' brings up, this is a piece that admittedly offers no fact or research. The real crime is that the paper is giving an audience to unsupported, hot air.
And as much as I'd like to admonish The Tribune for this poor offering. I'm afraid that instead I must complement them for their knowledge of their audience and their sound business sense.
Tongue firmly in cheek, of course...

Posted By: Vex! On: 7/18/2010

Title: We need change

Economy is horrible...illegal immigration tru da roof an noone doin jack bout it...crime outta control...da justice system frig up....Where the hell are the people we put in power to deal with these innumerable problems??? cant wait for the next election!

Posted By: Bahamian On: 7/18/2010

Title: STATISTICS PLEASE!

What the hell is "large"...could the Ministry do der job an provide us with some data! Just how much of the public school population is of Haitian descent??? We deserve to know who is in our country!

Posted By: J.C. On: 7/18/2010

Title: The Great Conspiracy

It is clear that Ms. Nicolls and others have a pro-Haitain agenda that they use the Tribune to share. Where are the statistics to support this? In the recent Primary School Student award ceremony, where were the Haitain children who are outperforming the Bahamian children? Given the large numbers of these children in our system, we should expect some of them to do well but to make this statement with no empirical support is just typical of these people who want us to believe these are a docile, hardworking, smart people who are not a burden on our backs but a positive addition to the society. That is just not true. These people are a danger to our very existence. They may be among us but they are not of us. They are of a different speech and a different spirit. I would like to see honest reporting about the serious impact the Haitian mafia and gangs are having in this country. What about discourse on the Bahamians who are indebted for their first home, only to be forced to live next to a village of illegal squatters who break any number of laws daily? To those of you who are lamenting that persons born here to illegal immigrants are not automatically granted citizenship, if these children were born in the UK, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, France, the Philippines etc, they would be HAITAIN if their parents were illegal immigrants. The reason for this is simple - self preservation.

Posted By: unun On: 7/18/2010

Title: Exodus

2010 the greatest year to print this Haitian invasive control. earthquake send money, clothes, food and everything to help Haiti. Stop shipping them back. Turn vessel around and send them back. Oh wait, appoint descendants of Haiti to Police Chief, Governor General and have them all lined up like the militant assailants they are to take over the country. This is what is called a strategic measure to ensure that the New Republic Of Haiti is now known. Bahamians you are too late to do anything about it. No wonder the country is in the state of affairs as it is. Now to write it out the way it is shows that Haitians feel as though they are more in number and position far from being dethrone unaware that with this they are all equipped now to have their exodus back to Haiti to build it up now that they are bold enough to say so. It would be good for Haitians to do something about the state of filth that has come with the influx. The pride Haitians have for their land and the disregard openly aired for where they migrated shows that they would only be satisfied in Haiti, so it's time for them to see their way back to that land they are truly proud to be connected to, otherwise embrace civil common heart in seeking equality not superiority in or over another land.

Posted By: Michael Stubbs On: 7/18/2010

Title: Bona Fide Bahamian

So what should the U.S do with the Bahamian students who are outperforming other students in the U.S? Also what should the U.S do with bona fide Bahamians over staying their visits in the U.S and are now working in exceptional corporations after dodging the authorities to gain a green card. Also what should the U.S do with the 70,000+ Bahamians living and benefiting in the U.S system? The following questions is place before you to remind you that Bahamians are treated abroad base on how we treat those living among us.

Posted By: strangenvestgar On: 7/18/2010

Title: Lackies

Bahamians send your kids to Haiti and see how they perform. Better yet send yourself to Haiti and see if you are received the same way. When a female Jamaican store owner married to a Turks Islander descendant with Bahamian papers said that Bahamians are stupid it is now solid. Can it be that after Haitians, Turks Islanders and Jamaica cry poor me most devalue the very citizens whose land they dwell in while straining the limited resources which feeds those born in the country called Bahamaland only to say they were insulted before and are doing much better with Bahamians having issues because of it. I would suggest all of you energy drainers really take a look at where you all came from. Comparing yourself to anyone including any person of both Bahamian parents shows that you have failed to see what contribution really is. Like those who find lackies the educational system now reflects the cause for the rest of the country showing signs of your ill manners being projected as being better when in fact it is only evidence of indoctrinating oppressive skills to ensure that original ways of doing things are dampen. Sure the other side of this kettle is that most of these people in order to get a job and maintain it would without fail give their souls to outshine persons who know on the inside they lack credibility and finesse. No wonder the hotels are filthy, the service of sweeping dirt on tourist while eating and no to very little if any sexual harassment in policing can be something to correct when there is a measure of being better than Bahamians go unidentified. Self evaluation is a must. Is it better comparing or giving the best one can wherever one is irregardless of one's nationality or affiliation in the country called the Bahamas. Haiti and Jamaica had millions of people. Turks Island refused to join the independence of The Bahamas and yet in Grand Bahama chose to have that as a point of entry for real Bahamians not to make it. Well it is clear that the plot to destroy the Lucayan Hospitable spirit which once made the Bahamas a nation where peace abound has evidence of the Carib Cannibal now man eating mindgame energy draining games such as the posting of who is better than the original inhabitants. Sad that Bahamians would all be banished to islands and other countries where these mindsets are not because the blindness of seeing what really is a countries within a country unfolding. No wonder things are stranger than fiction. Power obtained through falsehood leads to ruining systems.

Posted By: truthhurts On: 7/18/2010

Title: WHY THE HELL YALL COMPARING US TO HAITIANS.

this headline hit a raw nerve with me this morning. It is fine if education official feel this way, but please qualify your opinion. BEcause I could also say That HAITIANS ARE PERFORMING BETTER AT CRIME. I am concerned that the minister would bash bahamian parents on this issue, when the education system that he heads has a whole lot of responsibility to bear on this issue. Don't throw the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child on us, because it does not mandate that non-Bahamian citizens should be given FREE education. It Mandates that all children should have access to education. So they can attend private schools. Remember we the Bahamian tax payers, pay for the educational system. Remember our children are in the care of the Ministry of Education for approx. 7 hours a day.Why can't the Ministry reduce the class sizes so that our"Dumb" Bahamian children can get more personalized attention from these teachers that WE are paying? Or is it that they don't care?
I don't give a fart about these D*** haitians and how they performing.
All that is happening now is that "WE HAVE CUT OFF OUR NOSE TO SPITE OUR FACE".
We have allowed this Haitian problem to escalate to EPIC Proportions.We are paying Immigration officers to sit on their FAT Duff and not enforce the laws. The next topic will be "HAITIANs are doing better financially", because they are making the greatest portion from selling BTC phone cards. But here again, Mr. Bannister you and your lousy colleagues are not putting fire under the GOVERNMENT AGENCIES that should be enforcing the law. BTC..should not have hired ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS to be engaged in retail business( and that is what the street vendors are doing- even if it is through a third party. They are wearing BTC VESTS)as the retail sector is reserved for BAHAMIANS. The COMMISSIONER OF POLICE should have these unlicensed street vendors removed from the streets. ( and no I don;t buy phone cards from HAITIAN vendors. You think IMMIGRATION can't see these people on the streets? ROAD TRAFFIC needs to have an AUDIT of thier DRIVERS LIcense system and revoke all of those licences that have been purchsed through the Back door. And the list goes on. But the real crux of the matter is the people that we are paying to take care of all of these problems are not doing a good job. SO don't be trying to slap Bahamian Parents around. SORRY for the long diatribe. I'll stop here.

Posted By: Irritated On: 7/18/2010

Title:

The tribune should be ashamed for spouting this claim in their headlines without sound statistical research to back it up. Read people! I was stated in the article that no statistical analysis was done to support such a claim. I say shame on the Tribune, as they are simply playing into the mass ignorance that pervades this nation, by throwing out a claim that probably is not even statistically accurate. The are playing into the already pervasive xenophobia that is plaquing this nation with that headline. Has anyone ever thought that for every Haitian- Bahamian child that excels in our system that many more Bahamians do as well, since technically speaking there are still more Bahamians in our public and private system.
Bahamians in general don't value education like we did a generation ago. I always tell people that tourism (especially projects like Atlantis) was both a blessing and a curse for our society. When one can make hundreds of dollars a week being a bus boy or a bell man, everyone figured why bother with school and tertiary education. The Bahamians dream is to own a car and some apartments. We as a people attained a relatively high standard of living without having to work hard for it. Now the chickens have come home to roost. Amidst out economic crisis and a destabilizing tourism industry, we are graduationng thousands of children (regardless of nationality) who are functionally illiterate. This article does nothing but detract from the real issue at hand, which is the breakdown of our social values, education being one of them. Our education system is in shambles, and instead of focusing on what we as a nation can do to solve it, we here debating over this foolishness. SMT!

Posted By: True True Bahamian On: 7/18/2010

Title:

Praise God for you, Bruce Williams; I applaud your intellectual capabilities. It is as though you are better off speaking to a can of paint when it comes to dealing with social issues in this country. Finally, some common sense in a rather uncommon place! I hope the Tribune publishes your response. Very well said!

Posted By: Bruce Williams On: 7/18/2010

Title: History repeats itself

I find it intriguing that this same level of paranoia and scapegoating that so many of my Bahamian brothers and sisters are willing to descend to was once directed toward the "Turks Islanders" about 30 yrs ago.
As a Bahamian of Turks Island parantage, I commiserate with the Hatian community in the Bahamas. I recall, as a child, having Bahamian adults yell the most venomous, hurtful, insults at my siblings and me simply because my parents were from the Turks and Cacois Islands. I suspect that many of the young BAHAMIANS of Hatian parantage are subjected to this same level of discrimination today.
James, I think your comment regarding the antiquated Immigration laws that in the Bahamas is dead on point. How is it that a child born in a country is denied citizenship in the country because his/her parents are not citizens of said country? Imagine if young Bahamian women living in the United States, Great Britan, Canada, and any other industrialized nation were denied citizenship for their childern that they have while studying abroad in those countries (or simply living there illegally). Would you think that that was a fair and just situation?
So many of our young Bahamian kids leave the Bahamas every year to pursue higher education in other countries. Many of them never return but instead stay abroad to begin families of their own in a foreign land. I wonder about the parents of these individuals. How would you feel if your kids were subjected to the cruelties that so many Bahamians are willing to visit upon expatriates living in the Bahamas? What if they decided to deny your grandchildren an education because their mother was from a small island in the carribbean? What if your child and your childern's children were scorn and mocked and denied BASIC, HUMAN rights? Could you look at that situation and say it is fair?
I find it so hypocritical that that we tout ourselves as a Christian nation, yet, we do not know the first thing about being Christ-like to our neighbors. In my humble opinion, Education is the least of our worries. We are raising a young nation of Bahamians that will be incapable of compassion because this is what is being modeled to them. Yet we expect them to grow up and be civil with their peers. FAT CHANCE.
Oh, and by the way, the little issue that you have in the Bahamsa regarding the "D" average grade level. If more of the parents spent time teaching their kids and cultivating an inquisitive mind, this would certainly translate to better grades, better behaved students and a more competative student body. Your children's academic success rests squarely on your shoulders. Stop making excuses as to why they are failing. The success of another student has absolutely nothing to do with your child's academic failures.

Posted By: Confused On: 7/18/2010

Title:

What I don't understand is why so many Bahamians are up in arms about this, as if this is something new! You know doggone well ya children ain't been doin' what they supposed to do in school! If you do not attend PTA meetings, check over home-work, ensure your children read over their notes from the day's lessons, pick up report cards on time OR make time to visit schools and meet teachers to discuss your child's performance in school (whether good or bad).....PLEASE close your mouths. You are not eligible to partake in this discussion until you fulfill your role as a responsible parent! And to the comment made about Haitians having so many children...So what? If you are taking care of ALL of them physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, financially, it doesn't matter if you have ONE or TEN. Too many new-age ignorant Bahamians are having children and not doing a thing besides throwing them on society and expecting society to pick up the slack because they're 'too busy' to do the job....yet they weren't too busy to make them!

Posted By: True True Bahamian On: 7/18/2010

Title: Give me a break!

Again, blaming persons of other nationalities is NOT the problem to solving this crisis. We need more schools, more educational funding, better teaching conditions, more "old-school" teachers of yester-years, and the list goes on and on. The greater debate here should be about how we, as Bahamians, can go about being more civilly, community-minded parents, teachers, students, neighbors, et cetera. If ALL of the Haitian (or Jamaican or Guyanese) children were to pack up their georgie bundles and leave the Bahamas, you can bet your LAST BOTTOM DOLLAR that there would be zero to no change in the overall ATTITUDES toward education in this country! Stop fooling yourselves into thinking that the problem lies elsewhere when it really lies within. And this is coming from a thoroughbred Bahamian, flesh and bone!

Posted By: Bahama Mama On: 7/17/2010

Title: Stop being so ignorant

Mr. Samuel Johnson, I hope you read this! What privaledges do Haitian children recieve? Even though it is a true fact that some Haitian children do better in school than most Bahamian children....they don't recieve any rewards for doing so. Look at when a Haitian graduates from high school.....the Bahamian government offers them no kind of scholarship if they don't have a Bahamian passport! Stop being so ignorant Mr. Johnson! Next time think before you talk

Posted By: been there On: 7/17/2010

Title: haitians in public schools

when the teachers have to first teach the haitian children to speak english there is little time left for them to teach our children anything

Posted By: Rebirth of Michael Jackson On: 7/17/2010

Title: Bahamian politicians are the original conman in the Bahamas until they prove otherwise.

Bahamian politicians are the original conman in the Bahamas until they prove otherwise.
All I gat to say is that they don't really care about us, Hee, Hee!
Wooo!

Posted By: Stop from Joking. On: 7/17/2010

Title: What the Bahamas needs is a lot of real love and real responsibility on all levels.

Who to Blame for the educational Mess and educational shift.
1. Joky leaders from both political parties, the church and other leaders of organizations like rotary, the lodge etc.,(all of them) that dont care about education system in enforcing fair rules and doing something creatively different to make learning environments and root out teachers who do not perform or abuse children and the system.
2. Teachers who are not passionate about teaching but care about the paycheck not the students and the learning process for them.
3. Parents who dont care about quality education of their children, about teaching them good etiquette, decency, manners and respect for themselves, surroundings and others.
4. Immigration Department, Defense Force, and both political parties for not enforcing our borders properly. And allowing for officers to make money under the table for sooo long so that illegal immigrants get get the papers straight temporarily or permanently.
5. All the Bahamian citizens who talk to much about the problems but dont force the Governments Hand by demanding answerrs to why and when this educational mess of D grade average is gonna stop and also for they themselves to look at how they parent their own children.
6. Kudos and congratulations to all the Haitian Parents and any other Foreign Parents who work hard, correct their children, discipline them and make sure they do their homework and projects and help themm with it, who show up to PTA meetings and meet the teachers and collect their kids report cards, and for the supposed love that they give their children and for having more than 2 children. Even though each child is expensive to take care of.
Thank you for putting a burden on you the parents and us the tax payers who have to suffer thru too much children in the school system. What ever happened to condoms and birth control and the church and other organizations to step up to the plate and teach any uneducated foreigner about family and birth control.
What the Bahamas needs is a lot of real love and real responsibility on all levels.
Thank you very much

Posted By: reckless On: 7/17/2010

Title: this in the public school man

liek i said this is teh public school system where the people who cant afford private school to teh people who cant afford lunch, go so what do u expect

Posted By: True True Bahamian On: 7/17/2010

Title:

Ten stars for your commentary, Phillip!
As for Donald, James and Rick Pratt...You ignoramuses with your prejudiced beliefs are PRECISELY what is wrong with Bahamian society, today. If you believe sending the Haitian children back to Haiti, or denying them their studies in our public school systems is going to somehow miraculously make our Bahamian children more interested in their education, THINK AGAIN! As the old saying goes, "Charity begins at home and ends abroad." Parents need to take more responsibility for their children's well-being, including their educational value(s), rather than point the finger at other persons of varying cultures or socio-economic status. Stop this "Woe is me" mentality and start doing something productive to change your situations! Read to your children! Teach them their times tables and spelling words. Stop wasting so much money on toys and video games. Reward EXCELLENCE, not EXCUSES. And STOP RELYING SOLELY ON TEACHERS TO DO YOUR DERN JOBS!

Posted By: Ragged boy On: 7/17/2010

Title: Haitians outperforming Bahamians

Bahamians by in large do not value education. Based on the very structure of this economy, one can make a good living without a good education. I can point to several friends as proof of this.Also young black men are laughed at in this society when they excel in school, particularly by their peers in the lower soci- grouping in this society.

Posted By: Philip On: 7/17/2010

Title: Bahaminas must wake up!

The problem with our Bahamian students underachieving is a very fundamental defect in our country. Our leaders dont respect and value the pursuit of quality education. How many of you have or know someone who has applied for a job only to be told that they are over-qualified for the position? How many college students studying abroad dont come back home after graduation because of the inabilty to gain meaningful employment. I ask : what is the Minister and the other memberes of Parliament doing to encourage growth, innovation and expansion in our economy. Has anyone ever heard any member of parliament recommend to the their constitunets a book that they have recently read? My Bahamian people, let us take the emotion out of the issue and understand that parents are responsible for the education of their children and that the wider society has an obligation to give support through our schools , churches and other entities. I end by asking this to Minister Bannister: In the Public Service, do we have the best, qualified and most competent people in positions of authority and responsibility? I dare say NO! Sir , until this answer is YES, then you convince the Bahamian students why they need to pursue a quality education.

Posted By: rick pratt On: 7/17/2010

Title: Reply to Craig Mac

If you would try to pay these Bahamian youngsters "reasonable" wages,instead of the minimum ,you will get them to work.A lot of yenna "Employers" pay chicken nanny,then want still talk to these youngster like nanny.Those Haitians(since they never interested in being Bahamians)better take ANYTHING, because their parents aint use to that kind of money.I would be a fool to ask my children to learn creole,for what?They don't buy or look for anything special than what they need?So you are one of the Half Breeds that praying for the Bahamas to be taking over by these mostly Illiterate people?For hundreds of years folks from South of The Bahamas,(including other Carib Nations)was not able to Emancipate their people minds from ignorant values,now you and your kind,pray these for My BELOVED BAHAMA LAND?I say Treason on you people!

Posted By: Bahama Lady On: 7/17/2010

Title: No surprise!

As a teacher this is no surprise. Haitian students and their families show more interest and value free education. Not only Haitians, but Chinese, Guyanese and Jamaicans are also top competitors. Our students have become consumed with material things. The core values of hard work and dedication are slowly dying.
Bahamian parents, PLEASE!! Show interest, challenge your children. EVERY CHILD CAN LEARN. Where did we get that excuse from??
Advice:
1. Get rid of the Playstation and Wii. Get your child a book or Leapfrog. Yes, Leapfrog....how can students graduate and not be able to read? CUT THE CRAP!
2. Unsubscribe from BET and MTV. Turn on Discovery and PBS!
3. Save the money for Clarkes Shoes. No 3.00 no Clarkes!
4. Block Facebook and Youtube. Bookmark Discovery Network, National Geographic and Bahamas.com!
Parents, lets be parents! When your child is walking across that aisle with that certificate then indulge them. Until then, have them sit after school and study. NO TV, NO music. No Internet!
No surprise! This is a wake up call to all of us. Let's get it together.

Posted By: rick pratt On: 7/17/2010

Title: Flim Flam Headline this one..

If ANY parent leave their Country for another,would be very smart to see that their child be well Educated.With all this cheers for these Haitian children,why don't these parents go with the children back to Haiti, and make life better there?There is compelling evidence that Haiti is a destitute country,it would be wise to use some of these "Educated" ones to bring new life there.We see in America or Any other country, that Emigrants push their child to excel,so there is no difference.
As for the Ministry, they can say how these kids excel better than Bahamians,but cannot or will not provide statistics on these matters is phony,bogus at best.Shame on the Tribune for this headliner(eye catcher,so lot's of Haitians buy today papers)and not get further facts to back up this story from the Ministry.
Mr. Banister, you seems to be going forward on some issues, but what is the reason for your input in this story?Will it give Bahamian parents motivation?Why don't you ask some of your Colleagues to start with themselves,then go and ask the Bahamian parents the same?The Bahamas got some of the most brightest of mind, and if you say you are a Bahamian, use it, and apply it to make The Bahamas Better,make sense?

Posted By: Craig Mac On: 7/17/2010

Title: I cant beleive folks are shocked about this!

Its amazing that everyone is going so crazy about this. most of us Bahamians have certainly not done a good job as we should with our kids be it in the education area or otherwise. If we put the same emphasis that we put in to Junkanoo we would be far better than we are. any way, to the topic at hand. As an employer i have found the Haitains who apply for jobs are the ones who show up prepared to get the job. I recently interview about 10 young men between the ages of 19 and 26 and the 4 spots available were filled 1 Bahamian and 3 Haitains. I actually tried to coach the others through the interview but it seemed that the Bahamians for the most part felt as if i owed them a job. Sad sitiation bit its a reality. I asked my daughter who is now a college student to learn to speak creole which she has done because in the very near future, it may be a needed tool for her. We have done a bad job in many ways over the last 37 years, we have nothing really to show for it.

Posted By: Isabel On: 7/17/2010

Title: And by the way....

Further to JAMES' comment that Haitians "are not contributing"....many Haitians contribute greatly to this country also from a financial perspective, working as gardeners, cleaners etc on work permits doing jobs that BAHAMIANS DO NOT WANT TO DO (5,000 work permits are given out for jobs like this each year). Their employers are making NIB payments on their behalf. They are contributing to the coffers that we draw from to run our country.
In the case of many of those who are not - that is often (but not always) because they CANNOT because of our backwards immigration policy. There are people born in this country who have known no other country, who have to apply at age 18 for citizenship and before that time cannot be legally employed without getting a work permit. Imagine being born here, living here your entire life, talking bahamian, feeling bahamian, in most cases looking indistinguishable from any bahamian, but being treated like a foreigner. Then when you get to 18, you have this small window of time in which you can apply for your rights - the rights you do not have in this country, or any other country yet (you are essentially stateless) - and if you miss that window, that's it, you basically have no country, no right to legally work without a permit, to open a bank account...to leave the country (you have no passport)...to do anything.
This is the situation that many children of haitian immigrant parents find themselves in because of our backwards immigration policy.
Blame the policymakers, not the people.

Posted By: Isabel On: 7/17/2010

Title: Wow

To JAMES and Donald - your comments entirely exemplify the point Mr Bannister was making when he said: " Many of us are losing the ability to reason at a level that allows society to go on" and "The lack of education in Bahamian society is evident in the level of public discourse (and) the level of reasoning".
Clearly you lack these things based on your kneejerk irrational response to this article.
Why not, instead of simply shouting from the rooftops that Haitian children should "go home", look at what it is these families are doing that is helping their children to excel, and how the children view education, and perhaps do something to help more Bahamians begin to appreciate these things and achieve in a similar way.
JAMES - you say the haitians are not contributing - I say these children and their Haitian parents are contributing by being in our education system and forming an example to Bahamian children about how they should appreciate their education in order to do better in society.
Donald - you say Haitians "plan to take over this country". This is only true in the sense that clearly, as the article states, many of them are doing what is necessary to try to better themselves and move up in society when Bahamians are not. But this is not a reason to get rid of them, this is a reason to look harder at ourselves and what we can do to do better. Stop blaming foreigners for our own failings.
Seriously... the depth of denial and ignorance that people display in this society sometimes is staggering.

Posted By: JAMES On: 7/17/2010

Title: ELECT BAHAMIAN MINISTERS ONLY ! ! ! !

Mr. Bannister stop being so CIVILIZED and STUPID...send these Hatians Home.....This Bahamas is infested with Hatians....and why don't you care???...Don't you eealize that the hatians are not contributing, yet they are benefiting from us and all our services.
I agree with Donald, are you related to them>>>>>>Hatians that is......
We want Ministers who will look out for and defend Bahamians, stop using the UN as an excuse to educate them and keep them here so that our bahamian childrten will not have a chance. I am afraid of any government offical or leader who are of hatian decent. We need to elect FULL BAHAMIANS ONLY, that should be a CRitica for the next election....

Posted By: Donald On: 7/17/2010

Title: Is our Minister of Educatian of Hatian Decent????

OK Desmond Bannister, are you of Hation parentage? WE have some many so-called Bahamians in our Country who are either of Hatian Parentager, or Hatian Decent and was born here in the Bahamas, yes Mr. Bannister we could do something about this, end these Hatiuans back home, dont you that they plan to take of this Country, and I may add will your help. Are you aware how many Hatians babies are born to Hatian Parents in this Country. I always respected you Sir, but it appears that you are defending these Hatians, I am now agfraid of you. Please check this ministers Anstery......Hatian??????

Posted By: Yes We Can! On: 7/17/2010

Title: Education + Parents + Child = Excellence!

Bahamian education?
One word, PARENTS!

Posted By: chasing_history On: 7/17/2010

Title:

Samuel Johnson is a bona-fide ASS! He wants to punish Haitian students because they outperform Bahamian students. You'd think he'd be concerned with finding ways to help young Bahamians realise the importance of education. And he is a member of a school board! How can we expect Bahamians to get anywhere if we have idiots responsible for overseeing education in the Bahamas?