Venson-Moitoi: We need leaders, not politicians

Editor | Thursday November 4, 2010 00:00

If anyone had thought that the administration of the examinations was just a minor inconvenience that will easily be surmounted, he or she must think again.  Even the authorities are gradually admitting that the 2010 examinations have been hit by a crisis.

An English examination had to be postponed on Monday and the official line is that the examination had been leaked.  Who leaked the exam and to whom?  It is important to ask the questions for purposes of ensuring that no student goes into an examination without unfair advantage.

BEC has to tell the public that the validity and reliability of the re-set examination will not be compromised given the current fractious atmosphere between teachers and the council.

We are quite aware that in the antagonistic relationship between BEC and teachers, one thing it is highly likely to happen.  Problems with the examinations will unnecessarily be padded by the teachers while serious shortcomings will be downplayed if not out-rightly dismissed by BEC.   In such a situation, it is very difficult to know what the truth is.  As they say, truth becomes the casualty.

Thankfully, the examinations are administered on our children, our brothers and our sisters and in our interactions with them, we are able to glean the true state of affairs.  We know for instance that at other centres, examinations were written ahead of schedule and in this era of information communication technology, it is possible that a paper could have been discussed between students before other students got into the examination room.  There were reports that in other centres, students were allowed to go into the examination room with calculators while in others, this did not happen.  There have been so many inconsistencies in the administration of the 2010 Junior Certificate Examinations and the BGCSE Exams.

When this type of confusion sets in, we naturally expect the Minister of Education to show leadership and allay fears.  Instead, Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi has disappointingly played the puppet master.  She is largely visible in her facebook page often embellishing facts and playing politics when a crisis in an exam that can make or break our future leaders goes on.  She needs to be reminded that there are times when we do not want cheap political point scoring gimmicks as she is wont to.  There are times when we need leaders and not divisive politicians.  During this exam crisis, we need leadership and Venson-Moitoi is not exhibiting any at all.

                                                                                Today's thought

'If Obama loses the Democratic Primary race, I will vote the Republican because I cannot stand Hillary.  Hillary is a politician, but I need a leader.'

                                                   - A US voter during the Democratic Party primaries