By LAMECH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
THE country should focus on fixing its broken educational system to deal with crime, Bar Association President Elsworth Johnson told The Tribune.
“Something has to be done about the educational system that produces men and women that can’t read or write,” the lawyer said.
“Something has to be done about the fact that we have children between the ages of 15 and 25 committing crimes. What are we doing between the age of conception and the age of 15 to groom these children? And so rather than building bigger prisons, I think we need to concentrate on education because heavier sentences (do) absolutely nothing.”
Last Wednesday, Minister of National Security Dr Bernard Nottage criticised the judicial system for the country’s crime problem. Speaking in the House of Assembly, Dr Nottage said that some magistrates give lighter sentences to criminals because the accused is someone in society’s “good son”. He added that it was hard to believe that some judges live in the same country and still only give criminals “a slap on the wrist” when they appear before them.
The national security minister came under fire for his comments.
In response, Mr Johnson said “when you hear people start to play the blame game, it means they are devoid of the innovative mindset to brings solutions to crime.”
When asked about his level of confidence in the current administration’s ability in actively dealing with crime, Mr Johnson said: “I have very little confidence.”
“I have very little confidence in people speaking, not motivated by self-interest. People have to remember that politicians, the majority of them, are motivated by the prospects of getting into Parliament and remaining in Parliament.”
“You don’t see any of them crying when people get shot. You don’t see any of them wailing when a young man who has done the shooting has gone to prison because his life is lost. You don’t hear that any of them cannot eat because a lady was raped or anything like that.
“You just hear them spewing nonsense about what they intend to do and trying to build their statistics. It’s wrong,” Mr Johnson stressed.
He said it would take a collective effort from various groups in society to tackle the country’s issues, not just crime.
“Right thinking people, right thinking members of the bar, right thinking garbage men, doctors, carpenters, need to stand up for love of country. It means accepting responsibility for some of the things happening in our community and move forward,” he said.
Comments
PastorTroy 8 years, 7 months ago
Crime = Lawyers = politicians
Hogfish 8 years, 7 months ago
Mr. Johnson is right again!
In my posts I have been saying from day one that the roots of our problems has been the poor education of our youth.
When SLOP and PLP came in and the drive for Bahamianisation they throw out all the good British teachers who had done them well with their education, enough for them to go to England again and become lawyers etc.
The last 40 years you now have 2 generations of a hopless youths that can't read or write and have no prospect to get good jobs.
They need to concentrate on at least the cores of English and Maths. Then a child can progress to other subjects of science and arts.
Someone tell me the other day they should start by separating schools for boys and girls!
That is the BEST IDEA !!
And then after have a system like Germany that has apprentice systems that youth can be qualified in a trade and have side classes for business and accounting.
BUT
It all starts with the teachers. You have to pay them right but too many teachers are protected by the unions and are NOT qualified.
Singapore started from a SWAMP 60 years ago. They started and paid they teachers and Police them most for civil servants, as the society filters through these critical occupations. You get the best andd qualified people.
TruePeople 8 years, 7 months ago
Ya. spot on
sheeprunner12 8 years, 7 months ago
I wonder what primary school, high school and college the Bar Prez attended?? public or private?? I wonder what school(s) he sends his children to?? public or private??? I wonder what schools he assists in upgrading their resources?? public or private??? I wonder whose students he helps to mentor??? public or private??
Get real .... the structure of the educational system is the major problem ..... Its a u pay to play system .......... Its a system that if you have money, you get ahead ....... money talks, BS walks
To all lawyers who like to point blame and talk BS ................... STFU ...... U all are the main parasites in the country
OMG 8 years, 7 months ago
The truth. 1. Fire the Minister of education. 2. Fire the Director of education. He is a liar. 3. Start teaching basic arithmetic and english at primary school. For Gods sake teach them English before Spanish. 4. Get rid of these Cuban teachers. They may be cheaper but the kids cannot understand them.\ 6.Stop following every educational American trend. 7. Don't bullshit about technical education. You never provide materials or books. 8. Promote educated non biased Bahamians not political patrons 9. Have a proper promotional system.. Most positions are filled before they are advertised. 10. Have qualified teachers. CEHS music teacher was a bus driver and is not qualified. P Point. His wife is on the staff is not qualified. THis is the tip of the iceberg.
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