I read a very interesting even incisive article by AV Rampersad headlined Women taking over the world, and as far as I am concerned they have always ruled the world.
The writer showed what is the ideal situation that is conducive to studying and eventual success. I feel though, that most of the students are not in such a fortunate position. I think the statement “sheep don’t make goat” was unfortunate. The nature of the mind is to be elated in success and dejected in failure. Everyone loves a winner, more so when they are paraded in the media.
To those who were awarded scholarships I say congratulations; there is reward for hard, diligent work. But I ask the question, what about the silent majority who did not manage to earn scholarships but have moved on to various tertiary level educational institutes to further their education?
Many of them were not fortunate to have the ideal situation. Their dads were masons, carpenters, taxi drivers and agriculturists. Moms were domestic workers or stay-home moms.
What about the child who was labelled “challenged” because the system did not cater for that individual? Is success measured by someone going away to some fancy university and returning with an over-inflated ego? I can attest to people who obtained a degree and were very pompous.
In no way am I trying to say that the scholarship winners will be that way but what we need to do is to view what we term “successful” in a dispassionate way.
Sahadeo Ragoonanan
Indian Walk, Princes Town