ONLINE READERS COMMENT: No Political Clubs in schools; reintroduce Civics instead
Dear Editor,
I write in reference to an article published on February 3, entitled ‘PNPYO calls for political clubs in high school’, and am absolutely amazed at such flagrant and insolent audacity.
As if the people are not brain washed enough from years of tribal political party-isms and schisms, which have eaten at the very core of unity in this country, they are now proposing that political clubs be established in schools — to do what exactly? and by whom?
This is a mere attempt at enslaving the minds of young people, and by extension the society, formally through the school system.
The PNPYO proponents of this rather ambitious and self-serving position argue that this will provide students from the Grade 10 level with a number of skills, obviously geared towards increasing political participation and better appreciation for our democracy.
I however, only see such objectives being achieved through the re-introduction of Civics in the schools as recommended by the Minister himself over a year and a half ago.
Civics in schools can do all that proposed by the group and more without prejudicing the students’ minds against any particular political party in favour of the other on a purely partisan basis.
I dare say that this would be less than a progressive move for our country, as it is Civics and not Political Clubs that will provide young people with a better “opportunity to receive an education in politics and democracy”.
The PNPYO is clearly playing politics as the last time I checked, the ultimate aim of any political party in a democracy is to achieve governmental power, through wining the confidence of the people on partisan principles, at any means necessary.
This can in no way be beneficial to the people of this country, as we move away from partisan politics to the kind of politics where people vote and participate on the basis of objectivity and free will.
Michael Marlon Myles