Some personalities are predictable as far as their opinions on national affairs are concerned.
Such persons are unable to conceal their political inclinations; their jaundiced opinions are proffered without an iota of finesse.
They do not find it necessary to apply layers of subtlety so they can be convincing in their presentations during discourses on very serious national matters. Not even rudiments of logic find space in their discourses.
Angel Carbonu, President of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) made an appearance on a radio station in the aftermath of the release of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results. His opinion was as irritating as it was illogical.
His efforts at clothing the Free Senior High School (SHS) in rags exposed his flawed debate and penchant for politicising every issue that comes his way.
Why would a leader of teachers in the country refuse to take a scientific look at the cause of the poor performance but rather turn to weak and pedantic premises to support his conclusion?
For him, the poor performance is inter alia attributable to a tightened examination ambience which made it impossible for malpractices to take place, and reflects the true performance of the candidates.
In previous times, examination malpractices were enhanced so better performance can be posted to make the government look good, he posited.
He did not spare the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) for its complicity in the performance of candidates because, according to him, the examiners are able to manipulate the marking scheme for a particular outcome. Really?
This is a personality who has reached the pinnacle of his profession, teaching, talking without his professional cap.
How come he did not raise a red flag at the time he thought students were being supported to cheat in examinations?
The village boy, Thomas Amoaning, a product of the Free SHS made it to Brunel University in the UK, topping in Economics. He is currently at Oxford University on scholarship from his former university.
Is the NAGRAT President telling us that the products of the Free SHS, some of whom have already completed tertiary institutions were inadequate in academic standing?
He also blames the double track system for the poor performance of the candidates. The poor name tag he is seeking to festoon around the neck of the Free SHS won’t hold, and so it cannot be hanged.
We find it distasteful that citizens who should be displaying outstanding qualities for emulation by the growing generation would descend to such low notch.
The bar of moral standards should be raised higher than this. Must everything about the Free SHS be reduced to nothingness?
Come on, we can do better with national issues.