In defense of GHS’ ‘High Maintenance’ Girls

EDITOR: In a world where incel men seem to be multiplying by the day, where girls are still being told to shrink themselves so men can shine, and where too many men feel empowered only when they are pulling women down, schools like the Girls’ High School are not just important, they are necessary.

So let me respond to the recent opinion piece complaining about the “high-maintenance girls” from GHS.

Yes, we fundraise. Frequently. Aggressively, even. But perhaps that is because our students actually do things.

At GHS, the girls are not simply attending school to march on Sports Day, wear a themed t-shirt once a term, and call it education. Our students participate in countless enrichment activities: science clubs, cultural programmes, gardening initiatives, leadership organizations, overseas exchanges, and community projects. We recently saw students participating in cultural exchange programmes in Saint Kitts and Nevis. None of these opportunities magically appear from thin air. They cost money beyond what the Ministry of Education provides annually.

Hence the fundraising. In speaking with current Headmistress Latoya Deroche-John, I was actually surprised to learn even more about the work being done behind the scenes to support students. She told me about an initiative called Student Life, where fundraising efforts help underprivileged students with essentials such as breakfast and even eyeglasses, uniforms, school blouses etc. That is the kind of thing our school is doing quietly every single day.

And let us be honest- not every school is doing this.

This is exactly why the expectations at GHS are so high. The school pours into its students beyond academics. It is not simply about passing exams; it is about making sure girls are cared for, equipped, and prepared to thrive.

Mrs. Deroche-John also explained something many people outside of school administration may not realize: schools are no longer given allocations through what is called “the vote,” where schools are allowed to “lobby” for funds to carry out certain programmes. In fact, the ministry’s budget for schools is rather modest. Schools are supported with certain necessities and operational assistance, but the direct monetary funding is nowhere

near enough to fully maintain school programmes, facilities, and the everyday needs of students.

So when parents, alumni, and students are constantly fundraising, it is not because the school is frivolous or “high maintenance.” It is because excellence costs money. Student development costs money. Cultural exchanges cost money. Clubs cost money. Feeding children costs money. Helping a girl get the glasses she needs to see the board costs money.

Now, to be fair, one valid concern was raised: what about the girls whose families cannot always afford to contribute? Thankfully, GHS has long understood that excellence should never belong only to the wealthy.

When I attended, students were encouraged to save little by little“bring a dollar a day”, teachers would say- and older girls, alumni, and supporters often helped bridge the gap. If you showed willingness, the school found ways to help you participate because at GHS, the expectation has never been mere attendance. The expectation is excellence. Under the guide of our headmistress girls were taught that they were not just students but future stewards of society. We were expected to lead, to excel, and frankly, to outperform.

And we have. We became politicians, journalists, diplomats, doctors, nurses, bakers, public servants, and leaders in every sphere imaginable. The school did not just educate us; it emboldened us in a world constantly trying to convince women to become smaller versions of themselves.

So yes, we are high maintenance.

We expect respect. We expect dignity. We expect excellence. We expect the finer things in life because we were taught that we deserved them.

And yes, every dollar raised is worth it.

Chanolde Munroe – journalist High Maintenance and Proud