In memory of Vanessa Yasintha Wambura (August 2003 – August 2023).
Wouldn’t be so wonderful if our world today is very balanced. Much like a food chain, each item is vital for a functional system in our society. With the federal election campaign going on, it seems the focus is on main sectors such as: Environment, Education, Economy and Health Care, but there are more other issues. So the question is, which sector is the most important? And why?
In class we had a very hot debate on which of the three sectors is most important and demands more attention from the Provincial Government; Environment, Education or Health Care? Though we hadn’t declared a winner, there are certain points I would like to bring up. As we all know, the elections are coming up in mid-October and it’s important to vote for the candidate that fills and understands your needs and the needs of others as well. It is my understanding that all the Parties are mainly focused on our economy, however there are certain areas that I find equally or even more important than the economy. Before I begin, which sector do you think is more important? Opinions can change, mine certainly did.
Many remember the strike that took place in the year 2012-2013, the schools closed and teachers refused to work due to low salaries. Last year, however, the strike wasn’t about low salaries, this time the strike is about the demands of the Government such as, increasing class sizes, directing teachers on their prep time, and hiring practices. The futures of children today will be in jeopardy because of this, teachers will stop showing up for work, kids won’t get taught, then what? They won’t receive the quality education they deserve and be employable or find a decent career. Then how will they support their families, teach their children, and then their children’s’ children, etc. The future of our world is in the hands of our children and of those that teach our children. The Government needs to listen to the demands of the Teacher Unions and do something about it!
Millions of people are dying because of poor health care and diseases. Though we have free health care and fundraisers to support us, we need more money to go into the research for cures for diseases such as cancer, Ebola, malaria etc. I would like to see the Government take their time to sit down with nurses and doctors and ask them what they would like to see changed and what is most important with health care. It’s unjust how many people die each day when the reality is, the Government and even us as citizens can do something about it.
We need the environment to live, we owe each and every breath we take to the ecosystems around us. Though we say we get our oxygen from trees there’s a whole cycle performed before the tree is formed. The insects that create mud, the sun that gives the tree vitamins, the rain that moisturises and feeds the trees and the animals that protect it are vital to perform the cycle, starting from the work of an insect to the growth of the tree. My conclusion is we need an ecosystem much like we need a community, to help the growth of one thing. It’s important to breathe right? The Government should work to protect the environment and limit the amount of construction or destruction allowed to an environment or a habitat. All five of the necessities to live are distributed and begin with an environment, we need the sun for energy, a habitat, water, food and oxygen. Therefore we should protect it and try to conserve it.
All these points are valid and produce a strong debate. But I think it is safe to say that Education is most important at the moment. The world may shift and change, but for now we need to focus on our future, the future world and the future life. Everything starts with an education. A doctor doesn’t just go to hospital and say “I have no education and I know nothing about Health, so hire me!” No, they must have a good education and be prepared professionally. How would scientist have known about the environment, the teachers taught them science and biology, which led for their success and many findings. A teacher is like parents at home, but in school. They set us on the right path and they guide us, but they can only teach us for a few years before we must learn on our own, and teach our children’s children the importance of a good education. There are so many fundraisers to PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT and there’s even free health care, the only fundraisers for education are mainly for those in countries without access to education. Therefore I believe the Government needs to focus on our children of today, but our leaders of tomorrow. What do you think?
Have a Great Day,
Vanessa Wambura.