Bahamas Blog

Only a moron, and judging from the recent test results we apparently have plenty of them in The Bahamas, would write a headline saying there was a "Marked Improvement" in BJC/BGCSE results.

The Freeport News, one of the three papers owned by the recently formed media monopoly headed by "SuperBrat" Robert Carron, has published, yet another, ridiculous "only in The Bahamas" headline.

Most Bahamians would agree that there is absolutely nothing good that could possibly be said about the recently released, embarrassing and pathetic BJC/BGCSE results, yet the Freeport News has published another poorly written article titled, "Marked improvements in BJC/BGCSE results".

Say what?

When the average grade goes from an "E" to a "D-", the words "marked improvement" do not come to mind. "Disappointing, embarrassing, pathetic, disgraceful" are words that popped into this blogger's head.

The thing that stood out the most was the fact that in both of the national examinations the average grades got no higher than a "C", as no A's or B's were recorded.

Folks, that is truly pathetic.

And when the irresponsible editor of the Freeport News tried to gloss that over, by putting a "rah-rah" Bahamian spin on the story, it did all The Bahamas a disservice.

Bahamians need to be shamed into acting right. Praise, award ceremonies and positive press releases need to be cut back and Bahamians need to be forced to swallow the truth, no matter how much it hurts.

Like an alcoholic trying to recover from their disease, one can only start the healing process by admitting that one has a problem.

Pretending we don't have a problem (a huge problem) in our educational system, by glossing over the bad news and framing it in a positive light, is detrimental to an already eroding Bahamian society. It may make ignorant Bahamians feel good today, but our country will be destroyed in the future.

The headline in the Freeport News should have read:

"Appalling Test Results an Embarrassment To The Nation", or something along that line.

BTW - The Bahama Journal got it right when they printed the headline, "Public Schools In Crisis".

Now, we're talking.

Bahamians, tell me what you think by commenting below, for those of you who can read and write, that is.

An off-duty Bahamas police officer attached to the notoriously corrupt Carmichael Police Station was "invited" to the Central Detective Unit offices after he was picked up in a raid on a drug dealer's residence.

The incident comes only a week after police chiefs admitted that the public's trust and confidence in the Royal Bahamas Police Force is eroding and that cops have "a lot of work to do in terms of restoring the public's trust".

Assistant Commissioner of Crime Ellison Greenslade explained that even officers who are not working must always adhere to their code of conduct or face repercussions.

Officer Greenslade is the allegedly corrupt top cop who received over $100,000 worth of luxury gifts at a police "appreciation" dinner. The gifts were solicited from the Freeport business community and from lower ranking police officers. Police Commissioner Paul Farquharson ordered the gifts to be auctioned off with proceeds going to charity. It is not known if this will really be done or if it was merely another police press release to deflect criticism.

Greenslade says that "even officers who are not working must always adhere to their code of conduct." Yet this particular officer did not adhere to that code of conduct and is not being desciplined. Why?

"We have some persons among us who should not be wearing a police uniform," Greenslade said last week.

And maybe Mr Greenslade is one of them.

I saw a report on ZNS about the boisterous town meeting for the Albany project.

After listening to some of the locals holla at the developers, I'm surprised the Abany Group still wants to do business in The Bahamas.

Ah, but the developers will make millions... hundreds of millions of dollars. I mean, if the developers are willing to donate $3.5 million just to spruce up Adelaide, they must be counting on making a bundle.

But, I wonder. On an island with a population density of 2500 people per square mile, and literally millions of tourists floating in and out, do we really need another luxury housing development that caters to foreign residents?

Or, could the land be put to better use by developing lower cost housing for Bahamians?

Probably too late, as the deal is done.

Another reason the PLP should be banished from the islands.

How do you feel about the Albany Project? Take the poll or make a comment.