A simple apology can save the day

Tue, Oct 14, 2014

Editor: I am not an expert on accreditation nor would I want to get involved in this debate that has turned political. But I cannot sit idly by, when thousands of our young people are confused and maybe even disillusioned, since they are told that the Associate degree is not worth the paper it is written on and also when the impression is given that Nigel Scott and those in authority have been dishonest not to inform the students. I cannot sit idly by and not say my two cents.{{more}}

From following the discussion, it is clear that it is untruth to say that the Associate degree is not worth the paper it is written on. One can understand such a statement coming from a child who thinks childishly, but not from the Opposition Leader. We know that persons have been admitted into UWI to study a Bachelors from the Associate degree. There are some who have gained employment. Thus, it is untrue to say that the students have wasted their time and that the degree is not worth the paper it is written on.

After all, if we love people and especially our young people, then we should try to advance their cause, not seek to destroy them educationally simply because of politics. What a shame! What is also strange is the silence of both Dr Jules Ferdinand and Dr Adrian Fraser, both of whom are knowledgeable on the issues, since they are attached past and present with the University of the West Indies.

Nigel Scott is one of my schoolmates who attended the St Vincent Grammar School. To try to imply that he was dishonest, hurts, because Scott is a quiet humble and honest guy who does his work without looking for attention. Scott is not of that character.

What we need to understand is that we are living in a competitive world. It is required that a person must obtain a 2.5 grade to be accepted. However, because of the competitive nature for places in UWI, it means that those who have the highest grades would naturally be given first preference. Therefore it is likely that someone with a the minimum of 2.5 may not be admitted, not because the Associate degree has no value, but rather, such a person may have been rejected because there are others with higher grades. It is therefore important that students understand that it is in their interest to get the highest grade possible.

Come to think of it, if the Associate degree, for argument’s sake, is not accredited and therefore it is not worth the paper it is written on, then what about those parliamentarians and others who obtained their degrees from UWI before 2008; are they of no value? Because it is in 2008 that UWI was given accreditation.

I would like to encourage our young people not to be discouraged, but to continue your studies and aim at doing your best. It is not enough to just attain the average, but seek to obtain the highest grade possible. Time will reveal those who love and those who don’t love.

It is time we live honestly and speak truth, regardless to the political parties we represent. For surely, when we show love for our young people they would love us and vote for us; but when we have deceived them then it would hurt them and drive them away. A simple apology can save the day.

Kennard King