The Tribune

NOW THAT the election is over and reality has set in, we see some of the goldposts being moved back, election promises being explained, modified and even diluted. Some even going so far as to say: "We might have said this, but really we meant that."

One such promise was the one on education. All through the campaign, the PLP repeated the promise that the education budget would be doubled. Any astute voter should have known that they were being taken for a ride, because no one doubles anything expecting money alone to produce wise acres.

First, an assessment has to be made as to why the Bahamas is not getting value for the money already being spent on education. Why the consistent D-average. Is it the standard of the teachers, or is it an attempt to turn academic geniuses out of persons best suited for the farm, the sea, construction or other manual pursuits?

Also we have heard over the years about overspending throughout the Ministry of Education, and supplies walking out of back doors, which if better administered could produce savings that might go a long way in containing the budget.

It is true that voter turnout in the Bahamas is high, but Bahamians are not as politically astute as they should be. They should ask more questions and find out for themselves if the country can afford what is being promised, and, if so, how will it improve their lives -- or is it just a frivolous expense, which could be better used in more productive areas? The old-timers probably still approach the voter's booth with Lynden Pindling's words echoing in their ears: "Don't worry, be happy!" Translated to mean that they don't have to think for themselves, just trust in their leaders (in slave days this would be their "massa") and all would be well.

Some of them are still hanging on the words of their leaders -- the tradition of slavery still anchoring them to the bottom of the ladder. This is probably why we are now hearing so much grumbling in the wings, because some of the promises they believe they heard are just not coming to pass. We know that regardless of the promises, it is much too early to expect results, but the PLP must remember that too many of their constituents do not think like that. After all, didn't the PLP promise to hit the road running from day one -- and produce certain results within 100 days?

Crime was the first on the list. Instead of decreasing, in the first month it has escalated to dizzying heights. The public does not know what has gone wrong. But, behind the scenes, the criminals are fighting among themselves over something, be it drugs, unkept promises or what have you. As a result, mayhem has erupted, and at least two MPs have decided to arm themselves and increase the armed bodyguards for the prime minister and others. It's enough to unnerve a community.

But now we come to education.

Speaking with a Tribune reporter at a Government House reception following the opening of parliament, Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald confirmed the new government's commitment to doubling the education budget, despite the challenge of the nation's large deficit. He said he had already reviewed and submitted a proposed budget for education.

"We made a commitment to double our investment in education and training and you will see a major adjustment to the budget in that regard. As you are aware, the budget has been cut consistently since 2007, unfortunately, and it has impacted negatively on the application of our education."

During the election campaign, Mr Ingraham, still prime minister, took Mr Christie up on his party's double the education budget promise.

"Christie wants us to believe that he can actually double the $290 million annual education budget to $580 million. Over just four years, that would amount to $2.3 billion. That amount is more than the total national annual budget which is just under $2 billion."

Mr Ingraham said that kind of annual expenditure is not possible. "You can't borrow that kind of money and you can't make it," he warned.

Mr Christie, also on the campaign trail, replied: "The PLP is the only one saying not only can we do this, but we must do it. We must invest in people because the truth is that we need really big change in the Bahamas."

We agree that there must be an investment in people, but it can only be done within the country's budget.

And now we get to the quibble over words. In Grand Bahama this week, Dr Michael Darville, new MP for Pineridge and Minister for Grand Bahama, sought to clarify his party's position on education. He noted that while some might have taken that promise to mean the budget for the Department of Education would double, "We did not say the budget, we said the investment. The first thing, upon being named the Minister for Grand Bahama I moved swiftly to meet the industrial partners because we realise that in order for us to accomplish this, we must partner with you."

Now we are starting to get a glimpse of the wider picture. The vision is that private enterprise will be the ones doing the doubling with the government hanging in there taking the glory.