Reb's Ravings

Leapfrogging the development ladder through Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) education.

2019-11-28T01:23:00.000-08:00

The JLP's strategic thinking in education is about to bear fruit.

In Bruce Golding's time, they introduced Centers of Excellence to our school system.

"The programme, funded through a $100-million facility provided by the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) and The Victoria Mutual Building Society (VMBS) was set up in 2008 to improve outcomes in six rural high schools, where students were found to be reading below grade levels."
Source: jis.gov.jm
https://jis.gov.jm/centres-of-excellence-helping-students-meet-the-grade/

In 2017, they delivered 440 scholarships in STEM at several teacher training institutions.

"This is an ANNUAL student teachers scholarship Program:
The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information has awarded 440 scholarships valued $330 million to tertiary student teachers under the Maths, Science and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (MS-TVET) Teacher Initiative for the 2017-18 academic year."
Source: scholarshipjamaica.com
https://scholarshipjamaica.com/2
018-teachers-scholarships/

Former education minister Ruel Reid

This year they introduced PEP (Primary Exit Profile) to replace GSAT (Grade Six Assessment Test) in the primary schools, which promotes critical thinking, a key aspect of STEM education.
Next year, they start building the first of 6 dedicated STEM academies.
Now there are some like the Jamaica Teachers Association, who would prefer that we work STEM through the existing school system. However, the Education Act & its regulations don't favour a performance based system. In fact, some say it favours the teachers, their power, tenure & welfare over the education of our children. Changing it first would pit the administration against the JTA in a long & bitter fight, which would doubtless descend into partisan politics. We don't have the time for that.

JTA President Owen Speid

We don't have time to join the line for development & await our turn. We have to get to the head of the line quickly.

This is what it takes to get to the head of the development line & this is the face of strategic thinking.

Prime Minister Most Hon. Andrew Holness

JAMAICAN NICKNAMES: THE UNCENSORED EDITION

2019-10-14T18:08:00.000-07:00

JAMAICAN NICKNAMES: THE UNCENSORED EDITION

Jamaicans have developed unique nicknames for each other; like Munchie for women & Peas Head for men but we don't just stop there do we? No! Nothing is off-limits to us. We go much further & saddle each other with some names that we wouldn't dare repeat in church. Here are just a few of the off colour nicknames that are quite common actually.

How does one earn a name like NYAM SAAL??

In ancient times, before Dexta Daps was a sex god and before Ishawna said it was ok to deal wid har
like a bag juice, oral sex was a dirty phrase.

So how on earth would a grown man allow his friends to stick a name like that on him? If he even did it, how would his friends find out? I'd pay good money to get to the bottom of a mystery like that!

The next name that puzzles me is PUSSY BULLY!!

Would you let your friends call you that? In public?? How would you have to behave to earn a title like that? Sure, there are endless dancehall songs from both men and women worshipping these masters of the bedroom but in real life that is a name that real Jamaican men are walking around with this very day! Only in Jamaica, I think!

Then there is the female version: COCKY BULLY!!

Now that can't be far from my personal favourite: BUDDIE BRUCKA!! I say my favourite but I would be scared as hell to take on a woman like that! While it sounds potentially earth-shattering, it could also end up in the emergency room! Shame! Embarrassment! I couldn't show my face in public again!

I know Jamaicans who proudly bear these names. Would you?

Ministry blasted for Marcus Garvey High expansion

2012-07-15T13:46:00.001-07:00

Ministry blasted for Marcus Garvey High expansion
But the minister said no schools are failing, right? Never fear! Ronnie will give them a few rousing, inspirational speeches and all will be well. Just youu wait & see!!

Comrades at war! Crawford, PNP councillors in bitter conflict

2012-07-15T08:37:00.001-07:00

Comrades at war! Crawford, PNP councillors in bitter conflict
In one word....WOW!!!

Sharp!!!

2012-07-06T08:10:00.001-07:00

Jamaica Gleaner - Cartoons

No Comment Needed....Right?

2012-07-06T08:09:00.001-07:00

Jamaica Gleaner - Cartoons

Has a Cruel Master Been Set Over Us?

2012-06-20T12:13:00.001-07:00

How come the FLUFF about GSAT results made the news last night but this effort to embolden schools to hold hard end on parents didn't. This, surely is bigger news, unless it is just the minister musing aloud. At best, it is meaningless kiss up he's playing with school administrators. At worst, God help Jamaican parents as an unholy alliance could be on the way to bleed us dry.
Parents must pay auxiliary fees - education minister - Lead Stories - Jamaica Gleaner - Wednesday | June 20, 2012

No nothing PM?

2012-06-20T11:48:00.001-07:00

Is she really this clueless or does she think WE are clueless?
Jamaica Gleaner - Cartoons

LOVERS SPAT?

2012-05-27T08:40:00.001-07:00

On the issue of what they'll charge Busy Signal for when he gets to the United States; could it be that KD's adoration of the US Justice authorities is about to be betrayed?
Jamaica Editorial Cartoons

Jamaica Gleaner - Cartoons

2012-04-06T07:24:00.001-07:00

Jamaica Gleaner - Cartoons
As it is?
Or as it should be?

Juciful maker to be acquired by foreign agro-processor - Business - Jamaica Gleaner - Wednesday | April 4, 2012

2012-04-04T08:41:00.001-07:00

Juciful maker to be acquired by foreign agro-processor - Business - Jamaica Gleaner - Wednesday | April 4, 2012

Half a loaf is better than no loaf, it has been said but....Trinidad again?

Picture courtesy of The Daily Gleaner

Globe Insurance up for sale - Business - Jamaica Gleaner - Wednesday | April 4, 2012

2012-04-04T07:36:00.001-07:00

Globe Insurance up for sale - Business - Jamaica Gleaner - Wednesday | April 4, 2012

Soooo!!! Trini Duprey bought it. Jama McConnell denied that it would be broken up & sold off. Now, after the collapse of CL Financial, Trini are quietly looking to sell off one of the oldest & most profitable core parts of the conglomerate. I guess there's more money to be made by breaking it up than selling it to Black Sand as one entity but wait!! Isn't McConnell the front man for Black Sand? What's this, a change of heart? Aaaah, the ways of the rich......

William McConnell (left) & Lawrence Duprey (right)
Pictures courtesy of the Jamaica Observer

Palestinian Authority condemns Israeli's arrest of Dweik - News - Latest News - Jamaica Gleaner

2012-04-03T11:58:00.001-07:00

Palestinian Authority condemns Israeli's arrest of Dweik - News - Latest News - Jamaica Gleaner

Zippi Livni, Israeli politician(Picture courtesy of Politik-forum.at)

I feel like there are some in Israel who don't want peace with the Arabs. I feel that if Zippi Livni had won the Prime ministership instead of Netanyahu, we'd have had a peace deal already. Trying to keep the Palestinians from coming together is backward. It's like putting one's finger in the dyke. Courageously tell the Israeli people the inevitable end game & they will agree to a fair compromise with the Palestinians.
The current strategy seems to be to hold out as long as possible. In the end, the whole world will see Israel as the evil empire, she will be cut off & forced to accept really unfavourable terms. Idiotic & pigheaded is how I see it. It sounds like Netanyahu looks.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas(Picture courtesy of tunisia-live.net)

A deal could have been done with Mahmoud Abbas long ago. Instead they sought to embarrass & weaken him. It's the same way Arafat was undermined & it led to Hamas who are much worse! Israel wake up! Hamas is reconciling with the PLO & that is going to put incredible pressure on many of Israel's friends as the Palestinians will start speaking with one reasonable, not radical voice. We, your friends are going to have to think hard about our virtual unconditional support for you. These hardliners are leading you to destruction with their stubbornness.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister(Picture courtesy of knesset.gov.il)

Jamaica Gleaner - Cartoons

2012-04-01T12:10:00.001-07:00

Jamaica Gleaner - Cartoons

Peter in the garden hiding........

The Gravediggers' Torment

2012-04-01T11:37:00.002-07:00

Think on this & take heart! Some years ago, when the PNP saw their popularity falling & having no way to stop it, they put in motion a plan to get the JLP out of power quickly after such an election victory. The plan was Dudusgate & it worked very well. The JLP did what they could to minimise the effects but couldn't stop it. It haunted the party right out of office.

I don't know if Bruce knew about Dudusgate before 2007 but he has set in motion something that will eventually hurt the PNP just as much. Try as they have to stall Kern's case & the Trafigura Hearing, they won't go away! It's true, they avoided the bad news before the election but now they're in power & they can't stall for four long years. They didn't have far to fall nor much to lose in Opposition but they had worked too hard on Dudusgate to let the election go. They ridiculed the DPP & that was a huge mistake. She's careful, patient & relentless! The Appeal court has agreed with her in Kern's case. They said his lawyers were basically just scheming to get her off the prosecution bench. despite everything we've heard in the press, I think she'll win. He can't take stress. What will he say? Was anyone else involved? Plea bargain is starting to sound like a good idea!

When the Trafigura Hearing comes up again, Star Boy & company will run out of tricks. The heavyweights will have to talk under oath about what they knew & what they did. They are the government now, so the stakes are higher than before. Does anyone think there are people having trouble sleeping? Just like the JLP, the PNP will have to face the music & not in a farce Enquiry that no one respects but in a court of law. If the top level of the government are exposed as corrupt liars what will happen? If what they promised Trafigura & exactly who made the promises & got the money comes out, will Sista P still be loved enough to keep her crown. In their lust for power, Peter was the chief gravedigger, preparing the hole for Bruce & his team. Maybe he should have dug one for his team too. Same knife weh stick sheep ago stick goat. Just wait & see!

Jamaica Gleaner - Cartoons

2012-03-23T09:10:00.001-07:00

Back to the nineties.....
Jamaica Gleaner - Cartoons

Jamaica Gleaner - Cartoons

2012-03-23T09:09:00.001-07:00

Look what happen now!
Jamaica Gleaner - Cartoons

Rainforest Seafood to expand into lionfish distribution

2012-03-23T08:44:00.001-07:00

I can't wait.....
Rainforest Seafood to expand into lionfish distribution

Scientists find chain of islands more than 65 million years old

2012-03-18T18:07:00.001-07:00

See the part on Jamaica!!
Scientists find chain of islands more than 65 million years old

Jamaica Editorial Cartoons

2012-03-16T08:38:00.001-07:00

Who's doing whose dirty work?
Jamaica Editorial Cartoons

Reform early childhood education now, urges Seaga

2012-03-14T10:10:00.001-07:00

Compulsory reading!! I nominate this man for National Hero!!
Reform early childhood education now, urges Seaga

Starbucks offers help to Blue Mountain growers

2012-03-14T08:40:00.001-07:00

We made mistakes by putting all our coffee eggs in the Japanese basket & keeping them there despite the warnings. We must not make those mistakes again. We must diversify our markets to include companies like Starbucks, Peets & others around the world.
Starbucks offers help to Blue Mountain growers

Jamaica beat T & T by 192 runs!!!

2012-03-12T12:55:00.001-07:00

TEK DAT!!!
Jamaica beat T & T by 192 runs

When the spirit moves ... - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Thursday | March 8, 2012

2012-03-08T11:32:00.001-08:00

The unseen fire that beats in all Jamiacans!
When the spirit moves ... - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Thursday | March 8, 2012

The revival of Ettu? - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Thursday | March 8, 2012

2012-03-08T11:30:00.001-08:00

We can't really lose this. It's in our DNA forever!
The revival of Ettu? - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Thursday | March 8, 2012