“I didn’t steal any wine from the President’s party, I didn’t steal any beer from the president’s party, if anybody has that notion I think that’s a very dim notion,” Mayor of the City of Roseau Cecil Joseph has been telling Dominica News Online.
This is the opening quote of a very embarrassing story in the news in Dominica. From the moment the story broke a few weeks ago it signaled a very dangerous pattern of poor social mannerism in the leadership circle in Dominica. “You are the reflection of the company you keep” was a resounding phrase flooding the minds of many of us.
Not only that as a nation we have a very good idea of what transpired in this specific situation, we also know the magnitude of injustice, untruth, deceit, dishonesty, immorality and lack of integrity that saturate our nation. One is forced to conclude that ethical behavior is nonexistence in the circus of government in my beautiful country.
Where are the men and women of conscience?
While we have to repent for the action of the wicked and bad people at all level of leadership in our country we need to raise our voices as the good ones to suggest ways to correct these illness or else we too will need the forgiveness of our children and grandchildren. The Mayor of the City of Roseau having to defend the despicable act of the “wine at the President’s Independence Party” clearly epitomizes the culture of non-ethical behavior enveloping our society. We will all agree this kind of behavior by our leaders and members of society have to be arrested once and for all.
There is no doubt our consciences are stirred and our responsibility are awaken in the task of finding men and women of moral and integrity to take our highest offices in Dominica. In the meantime our focus should be on the innocent little ones who will be exposed against their will to the ongoing onslaught of injustice, untruth, dishonesty, immorality, deceit and lack of integrity sizzling in our land.
So while as parents we have the task of building firewalls around our own children, my suggestion is to go back to strengthening our institutions to undertake the mammoth task of social transformation. The school as an extension of the family and the nucleus of the community needs to be strengthened as the major agent of social change.
I feel obliged to recognize that the plight of the teachers has not been given any attention in the last decade. The strategy was to appoint supporters of the labour party as principal at our schools. This has stifled the legitimate right of teachers to demand greater pay and benefits. The selection of teachers has also been reduced to knowing who you voted for in your constituency. I make this observation to highlight the point that the role of our teachers in our society has been undermined so terribly that calling upon them to come to the aid of rescuing our society is disheartening. But let me be the first to encourage our teachers to demand their dues.
Members of parliament got over 100 percent raise in salaries. Our teachers too deserve their own cut of the pie in Dominica for their relentless work. I will be the first to rebuke Mr. Parry Bellot in his unfounded attack on the teachers of Dominica. He had no shame in my opinion in including teacher in his description of the public service as inefficient. As a teacher I demand an apology from Mr. Bellot. I think teachers are going beyond their call of duty in Dominica.
So I will join king Dice in saluting our teachers in the depth of their most challenging economic times. I will seek their wisdom in requesting of their supervisors in the Ministry of Education to appoint trained and dedicated members in the service to start the teaching of etiquette in the 1st – 3rd form level of our secondary school in Dominica.
While this may be a drop in the ocean, let us be guided by the inspiration of the words of our Lord and Savior in the book of Mathew 18:12-14, when he said, “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one?” “If it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray.
It is my stern belief that with a little knowledge of the fundamentals of etiquette by every student in our schools, we will help prevent such embarrassing news headline in Dominica as “wine at the president independence party”. While some of our leaders maybe lost and gone, let us not lost hope, let us not be captivated by dishonest largesse. Let us believe in the unseen things for they are eternal. Your lights will shine brighter teachers in the darkest moments. Dominica needs teachers right now. Our children’s role models are nestled among our teachers in this land.
Opinions expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Dominica News Online.
He had no shame in my opinion in including teacher in his description of the public service as inefficient. As a teacher I demand an apology from Mr. Bellot. I think teachers are going beyond their call of duty in Dominica.IT was parry bellot himself who ona Matt in the morning show about two yrs ago asked someone to apologize to him (on radio)After being asked if he was mentally ill as it is said in society.I guess Lizetter or whatever your name is , has every reason to ask the production specialist to apologize.What’s good for the goose is good for teachers. Lol!
when T.P.heard dice song all of all u send her back 2 d drawin board.because is mapwee she was takin out, so don’t hate my dicey say wat u all want he has 2 great songs. TAKE IT AWAY!! in ur face!!!
UTTER RUBBISH!
Dont use teachers to make mileage. Pat use Dice and teachers for political mileage but when the Dice was rolled, 90% of the govt including the PM were teachers, go figure, lol.
It would be of interest to know what is the view/sentiments of the Dominica Teachers Association on this piece of musical art work
Musical artwork? Are you serious? Well maybe you too busy ‘CIA Watching’ to differentiate artwork from ‘mediocre politically-masked abusive calypso lyrics’ which instead of educating our youths, is really encouraging desrespect for authority and can only lead to further breakdown in our society.
As a Dominican i am in the process of approaching the United States Federation of Teachers to adopt that song for their upcoming events in new york city, this is just about the small justice that this song form Dice deserves. Pat Aaron you are so blessed, may your wisdom continue to grow
wow…. i was thinking the same thing… but your effort is going the xtra mile… my intention is to send them an email with a nice message… attached is the mp3 file and a link to youtube video… int’l standard music that there.. i said to myself that mr aaron lives in new york… i’m sure that’s an idea he could have had… all around the world teachers fighting for better treatment… this song of dice written by pat aaron is of highest international standards… imagine an american pop star singing those lyrics… imagine justin beiber or one of those popular country artist with such a song… no.1 on rollingstones and billboards… i’m thinking the same…. guess i’ll have to just go head and send that email
Grow up people !!!!!! Grow up. Try to write and talk sense .
wey wey wey…. the song never asked teachers to tell students dont stand…. i think lyrics should be released together with songs on youtube… because honestly dice’s song was from the point of view of a student… telling the teacher that he’ll stand because he respects the teacher… the teacher earned his respect to stand… so when he stand is for teacher not for head of state.. simple pimple… the student goes on to tell the teacher how he appreciates all teachers efforts regardless of all the trials and tribulations they go through.. yet never getting just due….
jump high jump low…. dice have 2 world class songs… if you don’t feel patriotic when the dominica song plays then u should try your own self for treason…. every teacher who understands the lyrics knows and feels all what dice sang about… i thought of my past teachers and really they never had a vehicle but always found it possible to make it to school even in bad weather…. oh yes my first crush was on my teacher to….
Foolish commentary.. Ebeh allu trying hard we
Political commentry – not surprised!!!!
You people are sick !!!!!!! Dice’s song is not a tribute to teachers ???? Really ? Do you people even know how to think for yourself ????? Dominica and Dominicans are becoming sicker and sicker everyday. The top in Dominica commit illegal acts getting rich quick, what can be expected from oour youth. These people have destroyed Dominica. Good article write !!!!!!!
Dice is not saluting teachers. According to a very prominent teacher, I teach my children respect so yes, I teach them to stand when persons in high office enter a room, that’s protocol and that is respect and that is simply how it is… SO you not bigging up teachers if you ask students not to stand for presidents and prime ministers period.
the song is definetly for teachers, read the lyrics. and yes, in the song, he did stand. it was not for the president, but for his beloved teacher. hate the messenger but please, not the message.
wat president / wat prime minister? u must b crazy… do u know wat it means to be prime minister of a country…it means respecking the laws of the country in every aspect.
IS NOTHING ABOUT WHO WANT DICE FOR KING! PUT WHERE RIGHT IS EVERYTHING IS UPSIDE DOWN AND BACK TO FRONT IN DOMINICA!THAT IS WHY STUDENTS ATTACKING TEACHERS NOWADAYS!
That piece of commentary is full of crap. 100% increase for parliamentarians? When? If the writer is a supporter of Dice, he/she should just come out and say so and stop using teachers, farmers and public servants to achieve your goals. We are much smarter than that. Criticize the politicians as much as you all want but do so impartially. Dominica has too many hypocrites.
Did you even listen clearly to the words or Dice’s song. It in no way uplifts what a true teacher is. If any thing it makes mockery of real teaching ethics. Unless for some reason there is a last verse to come where the teacher corrects the student the teacher is being used to make political mileage.
@Soul Queen :I think you are the one who haven’t listen to the song. The song in no way is a mockery of teachers nor is it true that it doesn’t lift up teachers.In the first verse he starts with the teachers request to the class to follow protocol “Teacher say stand” and without quoting HE the student continued that if he is to stand he will only stand for the teacher because he was taught respect is earned. He continues to highlight all the teachers have and continue to endure without recognition. How is that in any way a mockery of teachers? Are the teachers not enduring the very things the song speak to? If you say no then you are a teacher hater.You accuse the writer of being a dice fan and so i will assume that you are a dice hater
You obviously hear what you want to hear and now you are reading what I obviously did not write. Take the whole song in its entirety and if you still consider it a salutation I respect your opinion. Unlike you I am capable of having a respectful discourse without resorting to personal accusations.
and Dice himself is a perfect example of the company he keeps….
U MUST BE A DICE SUPPORTER SHAMELESS COMMENTARY. NOT WORTH SAYING MORE
Man, if you want Dice to win the crown just come out and say so. Simple.
Why this ridiculous, nonsensical commentary?????
UTTER RUBBISH COMMENTARY, like the political calypso of Dice which is just a charade to try to use the country’s teachers to embarass our politicians.
The writer doesn’t give a hoot about our teachers, but like Pat Aaron, is only trying to use them towards attaining his/her political objective. SIMPLY RIDICULOUS!!! EVEN A MOUSE IS ABLE TO SEE THROUGH YOU FOOL!!!!!!!!!!
“Members of parliament got over 100 percent raise in salaries”. Wow!! When did this happen? Thats interisting.
spell check please…
And the same labour party took civil servants money/salary when they strike……. so what they restore nuh? but their 7 days coming, we go see..
I thought it was UWP? The matter may be still in court.
If the writer wants to campaign for Dice please dont use the teachers to do so. Dice has no character for any student to follow, that you all hear!
I hope your kids
grow up to be better than him. Shame on you!!!! Judge not least ye be judged!!
Oh what a shameless commentary. “I feel obliged to recognize that the plight of the teachers has not been given any attention in the last decade.” I’m just wondering whether the commentator was referring to the period when the UWP was in Government.
Less he/she forget, may I remind that it was during the reign of the UWP that a desperate effort was made by the said UWP to dismantle, yes DISMANTLE the Dominica Association of Teachers.
All teachers at the time will remember that they (UWP Government) refused to negotiate with the DAT during salary negotiations. The insults suffered by the teachers, I bet Mr. Arundel Thomas would admit that, for he was an Education Officer at the time. It took the Dominica Labour Party to restore this right to the “Teachers”.
I’ll bet you’ll now remember. It’s amazing how we choose to forget in such a short space of time.
one of the lowest paid public servants are teachers and traiined or untrained, we want them to save the world, raise our children for us, take insults and beatings from children and change Dominica. WOW!
I agree with you private and want them to do the work of parenting their children for them. Some of them have only one child and cannot even control them but alas the want the teachers to work miracles with the 30 plus they have from all different home settings. If every parent was playing their part and teach their children to love and respect others we would not have that problem.
PARENTS WAKE UP AND DISCIPLINE ALL YOU CHILREN!!! DO NOT WAIT FOR TEACHERS TO DO IT FOR ALL YOU ON THE LITTLE SALARY THEY GETTING.
When one reads some of the comments here no wonder the children in our society are the way they are.
Strupesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
i hope you teeth clean now!
clean and white. come see it
lol lol lol lol
