Effective April 2014, students of the Good Shepherd Anglican School in Tunapuna have been debarred from entering the school's compound before 8.20 am.This is a decision taken by the principal who issued letters to parents last term notifying them of this new development.Whatever the reasons this decision does not sit well with me as a parent for the following reasons:
1. The only place for children who are dropped off to school earlier is the nearby savannah. There, students do not enjoy the comfort of a secure environment since, left out there, they are magnets for unsavoury characters.
2. The rainy season is imminent. What are parents to do if it is raining? What are the children to do if it begins to rain and their parents have left?
3. There is no pavement outside the school where students can stand prior to gaining access to the school's compound.
4. The gates to the compound of the nearby church are securely locked, denying students an alternative waiting area.
5. Where are the toilet facilities for these young people to utilise while they await the opening of their school gates?
This is yet another instance of adults leaving the most innocent and defenceless among us to fend for themselves. As soon as one of them (children) is abused there is a hue and cry about the monsters in our midst. If the principal and her staff profess to be dedicated, committed teachers, then they ought to have no problem publicly stating for the record, their reasons/rationale for resorting to this kind of action.
It is mind-boggling to me that a principal, with or without the sanction of the Anglican Board, would resort to such a measure, regardless of the issues with which he/she is confronted as the chief executive administrator of the school.I would like to think that all parents and guardians of the students are awaiting some clarification as to whether this is going to be a permanent measure or some other provisions are yet to be made.
yevette l davidson
concerned parent