Let’s have a change for the better. After all we have been downgraded – and not solely because of the demise of the eurozone, as our ostrich politicians choose to argue.

One of the main reasons proffered by Standard & Poor’s is our lack of competitiveness. This can only mean that our prime resource – namely, our workforce – is seriously wanting.

And in essence, this in turn implies that our government has failed dismally to invest adequately in our young people.

Our faltering educational system has thus become the most important long-term threat to our economy and national well-being.

For decades our schools have been propped up by the black market system of private lessons. Kids packed into airless garages for hours after school, where moonlighting teachers (and indeed unashamedly university professors) cram them with answers to exam questions.

The performance of high quality teaching staff in schools is thereby undermined. So also are the chances of academic success for those unable to afford regular private tuition.This deplorable racket of private lessons serves to perpetuate an educational system that churns out graduates lacking the ability to think deeply, discuss and argue cogently. It also further entrenches the existing income divide.

The consequential pool of untapped abilities reduces national output, contracts career prospects for the less fortunate and contributes to our floundering competitiveness.

Exacerbating this grim state of affairs is our university, where there is no shortfall of arrogant lecturers unrestrained due to the absence of any competing educational institution.

Not a few among them are known for their inclination to abuse their positions to the further detriment of some very capable students.

Should this continue unchecked? Should we accept such a demeaning disservice to our youth?

It is only with a change of administration that we can hope for better prospects, not only for our younger generation but also for all our citizens.