Let’s do more to promote our English curriculum
Dear EditorIt is said that the educational system is failing Guyanese. What would you expect when ordinary people are not being educated in English to understand and converse at a high level? May I remind Guyanese that the majority of books on science, technology, business, computer science, maths, etc are written in English, not Creolese?If students do not comprehend English from an early age, it tends to put them behind in other areas of learning.Also, when the State starts promoting Creolese culture in a multicultural society, it would be at the expense of other cultures.We’re a country of less than one million people; the rest of the world is not about to abandon English and learn Creolese.Yours faithfullySean Ori
Kenya had moved up massive 10 places in April to 78th thanks to their 1-1 draw against neighbors Uganda and 2-1 win over DR Congo in friendlies.Kenya were set to face Angola in a friendly match but was cancelled at the request of the Angolans and now the Stanley Okumbi side will turn attention to the 2019 African Cup of Nations qualifier away to 113th ranked Sierra Leone June 10.In the African continent, Kenya is ranked 17th, three places below Uganda who climbed one place up to sit 71st in the world and continue bossing lead the CECAFA region.African champions Cameroon sit 32nd globally and third in the continent behind leaders Egypt who are 20th in the world, Senegal are second and 27th worldwide, Nigeria fourth and 38th globally while DR Congo closes the top five in the African standings in 39th place globally.0Shares0000(Visited 1 times, 1 visits today) 0Shares0000Harambee Stars players line up before a friendly match against DR Congo on march 26, 2017 in Machakos. PHOTO/Timothy OlobuluNAIROBI, Kenya, June 1- Despite not playing any friendly match in the month of May, the national football team Harambee Stars has climbed up four places in the latest FIFA rankings released Thursday to sit 74th globally.With 463 points, this is the second best rise for Kenya in nine years after occupying the 68th position in December 2008 when Harambee Stars was under the leadership of Francis Kimanzi who is now the head coach of Mathare United.
1 Arsene Wenger Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is still hoping to buy “one or two” more players in this transfer window.The Frenchman has already added goalkeeper Petr Cech to his ranks but many believe the Gunners are still a couple of players short of challenging for the title.Speaking in Singapore, ahead of the Barclays Asia Trophy, Wenger said: “It depends, if we find ideally what we want, we are still hoping to do something else.“That doesn’t depend only on us, it depends on whether we can find them, but if we can find one or two players we will do it.”One player Arsenal have been heavily linked with, Morgan Schneiderlin, is about to complete a move to Manchester United and Wenger is intrigued to see how the Red Devils will fare next season.“We knew they wouldn’t be happy with finishing outside the top three, they will respond,” said Wenger.“They have made some interesting signings. They came out of the season thinking they have to rebuild their midfield, and they did it by buying two important players – [Bastian] Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin.“They are two top-class players. One who is now coming up to the top level – Schneiderlin, and one who has done it all. It will be interesting to see how they mix with the other players.”
Indeed, the situation is so dire that at least one council member, Bernard Parks, has floated the idea of re-directing trash fees that were supposed to pay for new cops to the general fund. Apparently L.A. can afford a lavish new police headquarters; it just can’t afford the police officers to put inside it. Funny how things always work that way in City Hall: An extra $40 million to help beautify the downtown skyline? Sure thing! Need $300 million to boost salaries for city employees, whose unions just so happen to bankroll council members’ campaigns? You’ve got it! But when it comes to paving sidewalks, relieving traffic, hiring cops, trimming trees or meeting any of the other basic requirements of municipal government, suddenly cash is in short supply. The people have to make do with less, agree to more taxes, or – as is usually the case – both. In three months, city leaders are going to ask the public to approve a 9 percent phone tax, citing their supposed poverty. They call it a cut from the current illegal 10 percent tax, but don’t want to mention the measure extends the tax to Voice Over Internet Protocol, text messaging and every other form of telecommunications imaginable. When you go to vote on this tax, remember how city leaders casually tacked $40 million more to the Parker Center Project on Tuesday. Is this a group that really needs more of your money, let alone deserves it?160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! AD Quality Auto 360p 720p 1080p Top articles1/5READ MOREStriving toward a more perfect me: Doug McIntyre Is there a person alive who thinks the costs – especially given Tutor-Saliba’s history of price creep – won’t eventually hit the half-billion mark? What’s remarkable is that at the very time city leaders think nothing of spending tens of millions more on a monument to their municipal mismanagement, they’re pleading poverty. They’re so short of cash, they say, that they need to pass an “emergency” tax on telephones. They’re so poor, they argue, that they need to hike rates on water and power, then raid money from the crumbling public utility to help keep the city’s books balanced. And because of their great financial hardship, they insist, they have no choice but to cut city services this year. `IF the city is lucky,” we wrote in an editorial back in July of 2006, “it would get its new police HQ for just $400 million when all is said and done.” For all those wondering, no, the city of Los Angeles is not lucky. On Tuesday, the City Council unanimously approved another increase in the cost for the new Parker Center. The latest price tag is $437 million – an 80 percent increase from the time of that 2006 editorial, when the highly connected firm of Tutor-Saliba got the contract on a $243 million bid. Of course, that was already up $43 million, or 22 percent, from the $200 million that City Hall had budgeted for the project. And the latest estimate of $437 million is nearly triple the amount city leaders originally predicted when they unveiled plans for the new downtown structure. 
AD Quality Auto 360p 720p 1080p Top articles1/5READ MOREPettersson scores another winner, Canucks beat KingsDunford was among nine candidates who initially applied for appointment to Greer’s seat. term expires in a year. Greer, 49, announced in September she would be resigning at the end of November because she no longer had children attending schools in the district. Greer said she hoped another district parent would step up to fill her seat and serve from that perspective. “We had a number of very capable and well-qualified individuals come forward to volunteer to serve,” said board President Darin Barber. “This was a very difficult decision,” he added, “as all of the trustees would be proud to serve with any one of the applicants.” Dunford said he’s been involved with education for some time, mostly with his alma mater, Utah State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business and marketing. He also has a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Redlands. “Being a banker and having advanced degrees in business, I think that’s probably the first area where I would add the most value to the district” as a board member, Dunford said. The district has struggled financially over the past few years, sparked by budget discrepancies in the 2005-06 fiscal year that led to a nearly $2million shortfall in 2006-07. But Lowell Joint’s financial outlook brightened last year with more dollars coming in from the state and the sale of Grovedale Elementary, which was being leased by the private Carden School. As a board member, Dunford said he hopes to “look at things we can do to help improve the finances of the district because we have limited resources and dollars coming from the state.” “The district’s foundation is an avenue to get additional revenue for the schools,” he said. “That way, we can bring back programs that we’ve lost over the past few years.” Greer’s tracy.garcia@sgvn.com (562) 698-0955, Ext. 3051160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! WHITTIER – Lowell Joint School District trustees have appointed local parent and U.S. Bank executive Eugene N. Dunford to serve out the unexpired term of Cathleen Greer, who has stepped down after seven years. Dunford, 42, was sworn in Monday evening at the board’s annual organizational meeting. He has two children, one of whom is an eighth-grader at Rancho-Starbuck Intermediate School. “I believe everything I have is because of my education and the teachers who helped me,” said Dunford, a U.S. Bank vice president in the Los Angeles commercial banking division. Dunford said he was motivated to apply for the board seat because he feels “very strongly that I want to give back to the community. That’s my responsibility.” 
Since arriving at Liverpool for £13m in January 2013, Daniel Sturridge has divided opinion among Reds fans.With 59 goals in 113 appearances, the striker has certainly proved his worth.Unfortunately, Sturridge has all too often been out injured, and this season has only two Premier League goals to his name.Now the England forward has left Liverpool’s warm weather training camp, having contracted a virus, which prompted debate around his Anfield worth – and future – on social media. 1
Barcelona are willing to offer midfielder Ivan Rakitic as an incentive to Liverpool in a deal for star playmaker Philippe Coutinho.According to reports in Spain, Barca are set to use the 82-capped Croatian international as a makeweight to lower the price of the Liverpool maestro.However, with Luis Enrique quitting the La Liga heavyweights at the end of the season, his replacement will have a big say as to whether he wants to keep hold of Rakitic or continue the chase for Coutinho.It has also been rumoured that not everyone at the Spanish giants is keen on the deal for the Brazil international, which could derail any plans of a summer swoop.The 24-year-old has enjoyed another successful season in England, with seven goals in 27 appearances for the Reds this season. Could Philippe Coutinho and Ivan Rakitic be trading places at Liverpool and Barcelona? 1
Marco Asensio [left] celebrates with Niguez Saul after a goal for Spain Under-21s Sevilla are set to beat Liverpool to the signing of Real Madrid youngster Marco Asensio.According to reports in Spain, both clubs are in the running to sign the midfielder, who has been little more than a bit-part player this term.Asensio, who arrived from Mallorca in 2014, has managed just six La Liga starts all season, leading to questions about his long-term future at the club.Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is said to be a big fan of the 21-year-old and the Merseyside club have been linked with a summer swoop for him.Sevilla, meanwhile, are also keeping an eye on his situation in the Spanish capital and are lining up a move of their own.And now it has been reported that it is the La Liga side who look set to seal a deal for Asensio – but only on loan.It is understood that Madrid still have high hopes for the Spaniard at some point down the line so do not want to sell him yet.So Sevilla look set to finalise a loan deal for Asensio, ahead of Liverpool who reportedly wanted him on a permanent basis. 1
Fernando Llorente scored 15 Premier League goals last season 1 Tottenham have joined London rivals Chelsea in the race for Swansea hitman Fernando Llorente.Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino is said to be keen on bringing in support for top striker Harry Kane ahead of the 11pm deadline.Llorente is one of the frontmen under consideration, although they will have to fight off interest from Chelsea to sign the Spaniard.READ MORE: Antonio Conte eager to complete late swoop for Swansea striker Fernando LlorenteLlorente has been a hit in the Premier League since joining Swansea last summer, with the 32-year-old scoring 15 league goals for the Swans in his debut campaign in England.He is currently recovering from a broken arm he suffered during the summer break, but is back in training with the Welsh club.Chelsea boss Antonio Conte managed the Spain international during his time at Juventus, and is keen on bringing him to Stamford Bridge with Diego Costa set to leave.The Blues appeared in pole position to land Llorente in a £15million deal, but will not face late competition from Spurs.Vincent Janssen is Tottenham’s current stand-in striker, but the Dutchman has struggled to settle at the club and Pochettino is keen to land a proven Premier League frontman to accompany Kane.Meanwhile, Swansea are trying to re-sign Wilfried Bony from Manchester City to cover for Llorent’s potential exit before the transfer deadline.
IN A WORLD of crazy prices for soccer stars, Everton’s Donegal star Seamus Coleman is fast becoming a darling of the British media – taken by his manners, his attitude….and his great Donegal upbringing.Little wonder then that there is yet another feature in the British papers today – this time the Daily Express – on how a player who cost the Merseysiders just £60k has become such a success.“Every day I thank my lucky stars,” he tells today’s paper. “I will never take this for granted, no matter how many years I am here.“It is what I always wanted to do. If some of the lads here saw the facilities back home in Ireland, they would get a shock. I realise how fortunate I am.”Ask manager David Moyes and he considers Everton to be the lucky ones. The paltry fee he spent on recruiting Coleman from League of Ireland side Sligo Rovers has already paid rich and unexpected dividends, with a player who started the season a right-back proving largely immovable on the right of midfield.Chelsea’s Ashley Cole, now England’s most-capped full-back after his 87th appearance in Denmark took him past Kenny Sansom, will testify to that, having endured a running battle with the 22-year-old in the recent FA Cup stalemate.“He was giving me a bit of stick, but to play against those players every week is amazing,” said the Killybegs man.“A couple of years ago I was watching Ashley Cole on the TV. I’m not star struck anymore. When I am playing I could be back home in Ireland, it doesn’t matter who the player is. I just give it a go.” Unlike many of his contemporaries who crossed the Irish Sea as wide-eyed teenagers chasing a dream, Coleman’s route into the Premier League was more unconventional.He finished school before joining Sligo and credits last season’s loan spell at promoted Blackpool as giving him the confidence that he could make it in England.Yet Coleman admits his football education suffered until Everton were alerted to his efforts and happy knack of making things happen in 2009. Even then a blister which became infected on the club’s pre-season tour of America later that year almost curtailed his blossoming career.“I loved my time at Sligo, absolutely loved it. I’m glad in a way that I went through that route and didn’t come over as a 15-year-old,” he says in the Express interview. Advertisement “I saw lots of lads go over to England and they kind of slowly came back. I got to do simple things like spending time with my family and friends and I could finish school.“But it means I missed out on a lot of the coaching side of things by not coming over at a young age. I didn’t really get coached properly until I was 20, so I’m still learning all that side of the game. I’m working on everything: first touch, awareness, those sorts of things.“When I came on the scene, no one knew me. I could make a pass or a run, but now it is changing a little bit. I need to work on going inside and outside of defenders. I’m trying everything to meet the challenges.”The injury was just a freak one, but it became so badly infected that it threatened to eat away the bone in his foot. According to the physios, it could have been disastrous. Advertisement But Coleman’s level-headed attitude to life gives him more of a chance of succeeding.“My mum and dad always drilled in to me to have good manners and I still say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’,” he said.“The lads who join clubs at 10-11, they know no different, it would be excusable for them to get carried away, to be honest. But for me coming from Ireland and not starting until late, I have to make the most of this opportunity.”Apart from the starting role he has made his own, the four-and-a-half year contract Coleman signed in January or his debut for the Republic of Ireland against Wales last Tuesday, there is another barometer of how well Coleman is doing.When he first walked into Everton’s Finch Farm training complex, club captain Phil Neville led the meet and greet. These days, the banter flying around the dressing room serves to illustrate his progress.“I can remember my first day. I was quite shy and he just said, ‘Anything you need come and see me’,” said Coleman.“Nowadays, he gives me a load of stick. The first few months I would sit there, quiet as a mouse and not say anything back. But I’m starting to pipe back up myself now a little bit more.”Coleman may, at last, be finding a voice. He found his feet a long time ago.Seamus Coleman is supporting a unique event which will see 180 Everton fans going on a Zip Slide across Goodison Park on May 2 to help raise cash for the club’s official charity, Everton in the Community.SEAMUS COLEMAN: ME, MY CAREER AND MY GREAT DONEGAL FAMILY was last modified: February 12th, 2011 by gregShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)