Badara

[Drax]

CHANCELLOR DISCUSSES THE BEDWI
 
MANARA  ALBRAYD SRIA AL-MUSAMI
(If it’s in the Monsoon, it’s got to be true)
 
Chancellor’s Office, August 17, 5647: The Monsoon had a lengthy interview with Chancellor Khalifi al-Qassem during which it asked him what is the most difficult problem facing the government, and the Chancellor relied:
 

Obviously opinions differ, but this is my opinion. I know it is different from that of my sister, our current Finance Minister, who is struggling to bring order out of the chaos in healthcare and retirement benefits left by the preceding regime when it dissolved.
 
But the issue I find most intractable is the Bedwi. Generally trying to bring them into the system and specifically not having another generation of their offspring go uneducated.
 
Not a new issue. They were on the land and in the hills on their camels herding their sheep and goats before our ancestors arrived.  And about the same amount are still there. They generally are not in their tents and caves anymore but in settlements with a few more amenities  of civilization.
 
Governments have taken two approaches – they don’t want their children in school so impliedly we do not have to educate them. Or they are citizens the youngest of which are entitled to an education whether their parents want them to have it or not.
 
When governments get prosperous or enlightened, the latter approach is tried. When they go isolationist or tyrannical the former prevails as there is no revenue for educating the Bedwi even when anyone wants to do so.
 
We are emerging from a period of serious decay but believe we are in a position to try to give these children their right to an education.  Which is no easy task.  Most of their parents do not see the need. So do we send out transport and agents to haul their children away either daily or for months?
 
Or do we try to have educational outposts in their settlement villages some of which are far more  transient than our usual villages and towns.  With more agents to try and win over the settlements by becoming part of the community and helping with services perceived as helpful.  Getting certain groceries, sending out mail, repairing electronic devices, providing veterinary care, that sort of thing.
 
Which is what we are going to try.  Because we think it is the right course. But let me tell you, we really need to be prepared for disappointment because it has been an uphill climb for thousands of years.