IN 1991, when the local economy was still thriving, the education commissioner told CNMI officials that public schools might shut down. Why? Because, MV reported, “there is nobody to pick up the garbage at the schools.” Why? Because the central government allotted an annual budget of $10,000 (worth over $20,000 today) for PSS trash collection whose actual cost was $60,000 (worth about $120,000 today). The education commissioner informed the governor that PSS had not found a vendor willing to perform services…for free. “Our concern,” the commissioner added, “is that the schools may be forced to shut down because of health code violations.”
Now imagine if the (usually cash-strapped) CNMI government is in charge of paying for the entire island’s garbage collection.
At NMC in 1991, a nursing program was launched “to meet some of the healthcare needs of the CNMI.” That was “forward thinking” on the part of the official who inserted the key word “some” in the previous sentence. Government officials everywhere should practice more humility whenever they promise to “do something” or “make things better.” Because if most voters have better memories or are constantly studying history, many of them would eventually consider voting a waste of their time.
In any case, 30 years ago, NMC announced that preparations for Vocational Education Week were ongoing. NMC’s vocational students “are making a six-piece furniture set, including a China cabinet, a dining room table, six chairs, two end tables and a bed with headboard.”
Meanwhile, on Capital Hill, the governor’s office announced that five CNMI students would attend the Job Corps Center in Oahu, Hawaii to undergo vocational training. “Students are provided with medical and dental care, room and board transportation, a small clothing allowance, and a monthly allowance that increases depending on program progress…. Participants stay in college-style dormitories. Individual and team sports are available, as well as arts and crafts and beach activities. On weekends there are sightseeing tours, showing trips and shows.” What? No partridge in a pear tree?
Also in the news in 1991: 600 concerned local residents, including Girl Scouts and elementary school students, collected an estimated seven tons of garbage from 15 beach areas and three underwater reef diving sites in Laulau Bay, Obyan and the Grotto. “The turnout was incredible,” one of the event coordinators told Variety. “There are a lot of people out there who really care about protecting the environment and keeping our island clean and who are also willing to actually do something about it.”
Hear hear.
At Hopwood, teachers and students were also preparing for Vocational Education Week. Hopwood’s vocational education programs “are designed to be exploratory,” and to complement “the programs being offered at the three public high schools in the CNMI,” PSS said.
Variety likewise reported that “a task force composed of one teacher from each of the public elementary schools in the CNMI and the [PSS] vocational education coordinator [had] convened to review the proposed framework for Career-Vocational Education Awareness Curriculum for…Kindergarten through Grade 6.” The “emphasis on the content of this curriculum framework will be geared toward career awareness,” PSS said.
On Rota, the public high school was planning “an extensive program of activities as part of…CNMI Vocational Education Week.” PSS said 94 students were enrolled in the six vocational education areas offered at Rota High School.
As for NMC’s Vocational Education Student of the Year — the award went to an inmate who “worked approximately 30 hours a week” as part of a work-release program. He earned $7 an hour. (The federal minimum wage in 1991 was $4.25 an hour.) Also honored by NMC was the Vocational Education Instructor of the Year — a local educator who taught basic electricity at the college.
During Vocational Education Week, the CNMI held a “big show” at MHS with PSS and NMC officials congratulating each other while thanking CNMI government officials for their support. The education officials noted that they were “working together to greatly improve vocational education in the CNMI” and help “meet the [workforce] demands of the business sector.” They touted the “comprehensive Kindergarten to 12th grade voc-ed” and similar programs that “can benefit the students.”
Among the supporters of vocational education was businessman and then-Rotary Club president Tony Pellegrino who donated $2,500 (worth about $5,000 today) to PSS for the voc-ed program at MHS.
On Capital Hill, a “concerned” lawmaker wanted the attorney general to “address” the “high-priced” unleaded gasoline in the CNMI: $1.72 per gallon. Today, that’s worth about $3.49.
The horror.
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