My memory goes back to those school days when I would enter the school compound sometimes with my shirt a little outside my pants, shoe lace not tied properly or wearing the wrong colour socks.
I would hear that stern voice calling me for an explanation concerning the way I looked. If I did not have a proper excuse it was either detention or the ruler.
While I may not have liked it, my teachers were preparing me for life. They set the example in all areas including the way they dressed. As a student I saw passion and pride in them concerning teaching and this was displayed by the way they attired themselves.
Over the years that standard of dressing properly seems to have gone through the window. While some may argue we are living in a different time we must always remember there are some basic things that remain constant in life according to the occasion.
Our teachers must understand that they are preparing students also for the working environment. It is not just about passing on information to excel in an exams, but framing lives for the future. Teachers, therefore, are responsible for being examples in all areas, and again, I stress in the way they dress.
Our Minister of Education is well in order to address dress code in our schools. Also, our previous Minister of Education Dr Tim Gopeesingh and Mr Garcia both set a standard in how as leaders one must present oneself. Now I am not saying to wear a suit, but let there be some degree of excellence.
If something is not done now who knows how our teachers would present themselves to teach our children in a couple of years. I do hope that those who are falling below standard will see this as good advice for we cannot correct others when we ourselves are offenders.
Arnold Gopeesingh,
San Juan