Dear Editor,

A fairly recent publication of a UN-based report showed that, comparatively, Jamaica’s education is running at around 70 per cent efficiency and pointed to a productivity problem rather than one of resources.

Consider the following three major factors pertaining to our productivity as a people.

Firstly, too many of us are just not doing what is basically required. It might speak to deficiencies in training, but there is an element of lack of faith and pride in what we do and how we do it. Although a worker’s proficiency in what he or she does is of utmost importance, professionalism is a more superior state brought on by the right attitude. Consequently, we might soon have to refer to the migration of our skilled workforce from our shores as the “heart drain” rather than the “brain drain”, which we are so accustomed to calling this exodus of workers, because we are losing more of those who have the right attitude rather than those who have aptitude. Added to that is the fact that if one employee fails to complete his or her work, somebody else has to do it, and often the latter’s ability to fulfil his or her primary responsibilities is irretrievably jeopardised as a result.

Secondly, as Jamaicans, we tend to have an entitled attitude, so much so that we embezzle, defraud, and misappropriate that which is not ours with “justification”. It is why people have run afoul of the law.

While these and many other miscreants who live, work, and raise families among us would like to believe, and have others likewise believe, that they are being productive, it is really, in effect, negative productivity as the engagement of extensive resources to investigate, rectify, and prevent such acts eventually eats into and strangles our gross domestic product (GDP). When we begin and practise to “‘lean on our own understanding”, we fall out of favour with our Lord, as King Saul, Judas Iscariot, and others who have been denigrated by the Bible and history were.

Lastly, if and when the two aforementioned tenets of our productivity were to be resolved and reach a satisfactory state, it would then take something above and beyond the ordinary to be constantly demonstrated by what and who represents us to come anywhere near compact and well-performing economies like that of Singapore.

As it stands, the bulk that Jamaica’s economy is now boasting is fat and water weight. It is transient, unhealthy, and lacks muscle tone and strength. We have seen our athletes, academics, artists, performers, State officials, and community leaders do it time and time again, so it is definitely here. It is just for each of us to do our part, give those who are so assigned (by God) the opportunity and support them as they, with God’s help and favour, lead us to a most productive Jamaica, a place in which we work so hard at the tasks at hand that we won’t have time to watch, criticise, mock, envy, oppose, or sabotage that which the other is doing, just time to recover and prepare for more, giving thanks to our God, who’ll be our strength, redeemer and truth.

Andre O Sheppy

astrangely@outlook.com