High dropout rate troubles Macaulay principal

Principal of Macaulay Government Primary School, Raffiena Ali-Boodoosingh, has expressed concerns about the high level of school dropouts due to pregnancy and peer pressure. She was speaking at her school’s graduation ceremony on Monday. Ali-Boodoosingh called on parents not to treat their children like adults, saying parents had a right to check their children’s book bags. She called on the graduands to carry with them the qualities of kindness, love, peace and respect which they learnt at Macaulay. “We have pregnant children in our schools. Our children are facing bullying and harassment from their peers and it is time for parents to show support,” Ali-Boodoosingh said.

She added that character-building must be a foundation stone for all institutions, adding: “If you want to climb the ladder of success, don’t wear a costume of failure.” Ali-Boodoosingh also gave special awards to Lochan Omar, who showed progress academically even though his father died. Another pupil, Josiah Arjoon, was also given a special award for diligence. Chief executive officer of the Oratory Foundation, Deborah Jean-Baptiste, who delivered the feature address, urged the pupils to show endurance, resilience and honesty as they enter high school. She said: “Stay focused and push yourself to be the best. Don’t settle to just pass your exams. You must be a conqueror and strive for excellence.”