Young people are of course very capable of processing their realities, but many dont take the time to really think through the consequences of such decisions....why not opt for some extra days at home....given the opportunity?
Thursday, April 1, 2010
The Greve!! Part 1 ..... Students take to the streets
It's called the Grève!!!!! It happens everyday here in France....STRIKE!!!! It's literally a way of life....but high school students deciding to call a Grève for 2 months because of an admins decision to expel a fellow student.....is this going too far? Is this in the best interest of society?
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The 'Greve' appears to be a way of life for the French. But does it always provoke a positive response? I believe like all institutions it may be overworked and will sometimes be misused. In Jamaica sick leave with pay is one such institution,whether or not the employee is sick many see it as an entitlement that has a monetary value. I read an article that reported a finding in a job interview, the prospective employee was asked her current gross salary, well she calculated her allowances, and the equivalent pay for 4 weeks sick leave (a goverment employee) and added same to her Gross. Is this culture promoting inefficiency and reducing productivity. On the other hand the laws must protect the employee who is really sick. How can we achieve the balance?
ReplyDeleteThe children have gone overboard . They must be subject to some regulations. Strike yes, but for a good cause and within some limit. What a loss ...so much knowledge put off and to what end.
ReplyDeleteProtesting over an expelled student...depends on the reasons and circumstances under which it happened? For two months?.. I hope it was worth it for all of them involved otherwise it would have amounted to a grand waste of time.
ReplyDeleteProtesting in Jamaica is unfortunately usually done for the wrong reasons and far too often in the wrong manner. Whilst protesting serves a purpose and has the potential to effect change we also need to be careful of its ability to translate itself into self-induced anarchy, particularly in a politically tense environment.
A culture of meaningful protest for serious societal issues should never be overlooked. Then again, do the ends justify the means?
Stef, how many times since we've been here have the train workers gone on strike? In the heart of winter alone il y avait toujours une grève! Bien sûr, we were all incredibly annoyed and ticked off at having to circumnavigate our way around the metro, but I must admit that i'm secretly jealous of the spirit of the French to strike.
ReplyDeleteHow I see it, they take b/s from NO ONE. No matter how small. It may seem stupid and borderline comical, but for me there is in innate profoundness. Something I wish existed back home. My gross hatred for and repulsion from all things politics comes from having to always speak in hushed tones about authoritarian figures, simply out of fear. How great to have a voice that can shout as loudly (or as lewdly) as it wants!
For the students, yes, it's time lost from crucial lessons (I mean TWO months?! Come on!!!). But I really can't help admiring (and also feeling slightly jealous of) their spirit and freedom. Vive la grève!