It’s unfair to lock latecomers out

19.FEB.10

Editor: I must commend the Dr JP Eustace Memorial Secondary School’s principal and teachers on their hard work. Conversely, I am astonished about the issue surrounding latecomers being shut out of school.{{more}}

My son who currently attends your institution expressed his concerns being worried, discouraged and feeling threatened. He further stated: “Mummy, sometimes it’s hard to get vans, and sometimes due to road works, the vans are delayed, therefore leaving me with no option but to arrive late sometimes.” He noted that it is not a regular practice for him to be late.

Locking the gates may be the school’s way to discipline to minimise lateness and promote punctuality, but conversely it can be encouraging the children to feel that their best is not enough and lead them to spend the day doing something else and get caught up in trouble.

In St Vincent and the Grenadines we are trying to promote education but yet depriving our children of what little education they can get!

Let’s all be realistic here. St Vincent and the Grenadines, “My home of the blessed”, is full of social issues from family, financial, travelling, institutional and working conditions just to name a few. There are days when my son complains they were left to do stuff on their own because there was no teacher. Now, one would agree when I state that teachers’ absence, lateness and teachers and students working relationship need to be addressed as the main priority.

Stop abusing our children. Extremely hot sun is a contributing factor of dehydration, headaches and skin burns! My son suffered with headaches growing up, so if he gets locked out in the sun and becomes ill, I would be very angry and fight for my rights.

Would you, Mr Philbert John, be standing all morning in the sun if this was you? Should this method be seen as abusing children? There are many ways to solve this problem. May I ask for the principal to stand in the sun all morning and see what it feels like!!

I am asking you to review your strategies. It’s unfair!! I suggest the principal continue with the late slips and call a parents’ meeting for those held responsible. Find ways of encouraging students coming to school instead of running and depriving them of their fundamental rights.

M. Chance