IslandMix - Soca, Reggae, Zouk and Caribbean Entertainment

I was reading through the Express today and was just so upset by the amount of crime and violence: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index...s?id=22958246.

Is there some way at all to get back to our "ole time days" or at least to improve the situation? Please let's see if we can put together some solutions...

Okay, I'll start:

I feel that if the environment outside the home was more positive (cuh this is where the youths head when home is troubled) then things would be better. The functional illiteracy thing is a huge clue. People feel helpless and unable to make something of themselves and the self destructive path is what despair leads to. Avenues need to be found for these people to learn and contribute. That's what a lot of them are searching for (and I feel that the need to have something and be someone is what drives the crime).

You might argue that it starts in the home and I don't disagree but when it comes to forcing change, the government has a lot more control over the community. Stop with the artificial job market since it is not self sustainable (10 days). Instead give folks to skills to be able to make it in the real job market. This means setting up training schools for all sorts of skills. Culture is also important.

Revive those community centers (for both education and culture)

Calling all the intelligent, mature and socially responsible imixers ... (if they exist)

This is important

I agree. Trinidad & Tobago need to invest in some more training and educational programs for youths. What I don't like about the education system in T&T is that at the age 16 or 17 when a child finishes CXC most of them don't have the opportunity to go further, and the job market is difficult. This causes frustration which leads many of the young men and women in the wrong direction.. I agree that the situation shouldn't be an excuse for the youths to commit crimes but some people are not strong enough and don't have the will power to put up that fight to succeed. I think they should also develop school loans programs and financial aid to assist students to further their education. Reviving community centers is a great idea, one way to cut cost is to ask some teachers or make in mandatory that they volunteer one day a week. alot of teachers are multi-talented they could teach different skills..
that's my opinion!