Many classical and current educators have speculated on what kind of education is necessary to produce the ideal citizen, or human being. This is necessary if we are to have persons with the desirable values, knowledge and dispositions that will make a positive contribution to our societies, and be able to solve many of the problems and challenges that beset us, and which continuously present themselves as our societies respond to the requirements of modernity.
Dr Didacus Jules, the Registrar of the Caribbean Examinations Council, has recently given a commentary in Caribbean News Now, on “Rethinking Education in the Caribbean,” in which he argues for an articulation of a philosophy of education for the Caribbean. One of the precepts he mentions that would inform this philosophy is a statement outlining the idea of the CARICOM Ideal Person, or type of person the system ought to produce. He mentions eight areas which incorporate this concept, and I would now like to comment on four of these. These are: that this person should have emotional intelligence, be democratically engaged, be culturally grounded and historically conscious, and be entrepreneurially capable. I am sure that there is an elaboration on these, although Dr Jules states the concept has not been aggressively pursued. Emotional intelligence is important in enabling the individual to confront challenging issues in a rational, calm, and non-aggressive manner. It ensures that the person, through self-analysis knows himself or herself, knows what triggers certain behaviours, but is able, through training to govern these behaviours appropriately, so that their reaction does not harm others, or complicate the situation further. Emotional intelligence implies being capable of rational thinking, of not allowing personal prejudices to cloud our thoughts, and therefore responding in an objective, fair, and balanced way to issues and contexts, which contribute to those issues being dealt with in a mature and thoughtful way. There are no irrational outbursts, no frenzied reactions, and no getting hyper about an event. It means responding with maturity, and philosophical tranquility.
Emotional intelligence therefore results in an improved situation, clarity on the issues, and the formulation of a measured position which makes the situation qualitatively better than it previously was. It also keeps the individual centered, and in control of his or her self. Controlling the emotions intelligently therefore is a positive attribute. It prevents an issue from developing negatively, restores camaraderie, and there is always a win-win result, with no losers.
But emotional intelligence does not mean passivity. One could still express points of view passionately, in order to influence others. This is however done on an intellectual level, and in a cultured way. It also does not mean putting arguments forward, but deferring to authority. It challenges authority, and presents alternatives for consideration. Emotional intelligence also does not mean giving into the group because it is wise to do so, because of overwhelming pressure. Rather, it implies demanding to be heard, and the right to have our views aired. But in many Caribbean societies with the old boys relationships and ties, there is the risk of losing friendships because of holding views that are controversial or different from the status quo. It may compromise our professional connections, resulting in us being ostracised from important social groups. The point is to have self-assurance, and maintain our dignity in the face of unpleasant reactions to our views. Later, after careful personal reflection, our associates might well end up accepting, even adopting our viewpoints, precisely because they make sense.
The precept, therefore, that emotional intelligence should be an aspect of the CARICOM Ideal Person is important, It means a society that respects contrary views, practices open-mindedness, is assertive with respect to the issues, and possesses citizens who defend their positions, who are self-assured, and who are committed to fundamentally transforming their societies in a positive way, through the use of the power of reason, and not in any physically harming way.
The above fits into the next characteristic of the CARICOM Ideal Person, which is, being democratically engaged. The democratically engaged person seeks to be involved in the process of political, economic and social change. He or she, challenges the status quo, provides alternatives strategies for societal development, and aims to make qualitatively better, the processes that result in new, different and effective policy options and outputs.
The democratically engaged CARICOM Ideal Person is an advocate of strong democracy, maximised to the fullest. This implies the total involvement of all facets of society in matters that affect their welfare, and remaking society and the individual in new and profound ways. This means facilitating contexts in which society becomes more socially conscious, more gentle, more entrepreneurial, and sensitive.
Being democratically engaged is also about promoting responsive structures, ridding organisations of bureaucratic and cumbersome practices, and opening up new avenues for greater opportunities for the not so privileged.
At another dimension, democratic engagement means being responsible for the actions one takes, and owning up to them. It is making prudent choices after careful deliberation, respecting the views of others, and incorporating them into the frames of decision making. It treats each individually equally, does away with privilege as a standard for assessing others, and sees society as not an entity to be manipulated, but to improve the welfare and well being of all its components. Democratic engagement is therefore a strategy to transform and enhance the individual and society, so that we wish for all others what we wish for ourselves.
Being culturally grounded and historically conscious, are related to being democratically engaged. It is the culture of society and its historical heritage that are the assets that facilitate democratic engagement. This culture and history explain the reason why of things, why they exist as they are, and inform the strategies that promote greater democracy. They are also the soil in which emotional intelligence is grounded, takes root, and is operationalised, since they inform our identity, sense of purpose, and awareness of a future context.
Culture and history further are the bedrock for our authenticity, for indigenous policies and programmes, as well as guarantors of their success. Our self-assurance and sense of autonomy are integral to our history and culture, and contribute to lives lived purposely. These three elements of emotional intelligence, being democratically engaged, and being culturally grounded and historically conscious, are therefore interconnected. They positively contribute to, and can be regarded as important ingredients in the psychological formation of the CARICOM Ideal Person.
Being entrepreneurially capable is the final aspect of the CARICOM Ideal Person I will now deal with. Entrepreneurship is usually associated with innovations and risk-taking in business. The entrepreneur seeks out new and better ways of accomplishing maximum results cost effectively, and bringing new products and services on line. He or she adds new dimensions to the way business is done, exercises creativity, and induces novelty in the practice of business.
In this context, being entrepreneurially capable, as an ingredient of the CARICOM Ideal Person, suggests an individual who constantly questions the way things are done, and seeks new and different strategies for achieving enhanced results. This individual must therefore have the type of intellectual and critical skills with which to interrogate, analyse, and present transformative views and ways of operating to whatever activity he or she is engaged in.
Critical analysis and constant self-reflection therefore become the new normal in organisations, and in social practice as well. The practice is entrepreneurial because it moves away from passive acceptance to actively seeking new knowledge, and transformational ways of being and doing. A new type of individual therefore emerges with a new outlook, new tools, and different dispositions towards what is required to be done efficiently.
This results in changing structures, methods, motivations, and mind-sets, which are at the core of social entrepreneurship. With this orientation, change is a constant factor, different and proficient become the standard for doing things, and this results in greater productivity and efficiency, which are definitely needed in a greater, grander scale in the Caribbean. The CARICOM Ideal Person facilitates this.
But to what extent is this concept of the CARICOM Ideal Person valid and possible? And to what extent could it be said that the principles on which it is based actually are representative of the preferred ideal person? Does CARICOM have the credentials and moral authority to depict its ideal person? A further question is, “ideal” as opposed to what? The point is, how did this concept emerge? How were the depictions selected, and what other descriptions were they chosen against?
You cannot define an ideal into existence, and further, ideal suggests the probability of not being realised. The term therefore could be used as an excuse, when its characteristics are either not realised, or realised only partially.
Also, the fact that CARICOM sees these characteristics as representing the ideal person testifies to the fact that such an individual does not now exist in the Caribbean, and has yet to become what is desirable in a person. Further, what we have in the term is a conception based on preferences, connected to a particular set of values held by a segment of Caribbean society.
In a wider sense though, there is nothing really irrational in having preferences, or stipulating desirable qualities concerning the kind of person a society should have to function ethically and productively. There has to be some standard of judgment though, to determine how the stipulations are arrived at, and when they have been achieved.
The Caribbean in my view really needs individuals having the qualities mentioned by CARICOM, and I am sure the best Caribbean minds have given serious thought to this, as is reflected in the eight areas given. Such qualities are essential if Caribbean society is to have a sense of purpose, mission, identity, and uniqueness. Dr Jules deserves credit for again bringing these to the forefront for discussion in the region at large.
January 5, 2011
caribbeannewsnow
