Senior Reporter
shane.superville@guardian.co.tt
Parents across St Augustine and Tunapuna accompanied their children to school on Monday, offering encouragement and advice as the new academic term began.
From as early as 6 am, parents were seen walking children to school, taking photographs and sharing final words of reassurance before classes got underway.
Outside St Augustine Secondary School on Gordon Street, proud father Niraz Goolchan reflected on the challenges his son, Somari Samaroo, had overcome before starting Form One.
Goolchan said the 13-year-old survived a serious road accident last year, after a vehicle veered off the road and struck him while he was playing.
“It rolled over and crushed his foot,” Goolchan recalled.
“He was out for about a year, which is why his primary school kept him back in Standard Four. He really fought through it and bounced back well. When he got to Standard Five, he became more focused on his schoolwork and did really well to be where he is today.”
Although the driver fled the scene and was never identified, Goolchan said he was grateful his son had recovered sufficiently to begin secondary school.
“I’m more nervous than him, I feel,” he joked.
He also encouraged parents to remain actively involved in their children’s lives, particularly during major transitions such as the move to secondary school.
“Focus on your children. Their future is ahead of them. Don’t over-pressure them, but pay attention to them and support them.”
While traffic appeared lighter than expected on yesterday morning, Goolchan said avoiding congestion required an earlier start to the day.
Another St Augustine Secondary parent, Michael George, said he was proud to see his son begin Form One.
While excited about the opportunities ahead, George said he had also used the journey to school to remind his son about making wise choices.
“I feel like a proud father. Being here brought back memories of when I started secondary school myself.
“I was giving him the dos and don’ts. Trouble can be easy to get into. He’s small and just starting out, so I told him to stick with the children in his class and, over time, he’ll become more comfortable.”
George’s wife, Madonna, urged parents to remain supportive and involved in their children’s education.
“Just encourage your children, work with them and check on them often,” she said.
“I told my son to stay in his corner, make a few friends and avoid the spotlight. We don’t need the spotlight.”
Similar scenes unfolded at Lakshmi Girls’ Hindu College along the Eastern Main Road, where parents took photographs before students joined friends on the school compound.
One mother, Valini Ramlakhan, said she experienced mixed emotions as her daughter, Amara Betan, began secondary school.
“It was a little scary because it’s a new school. It feels like we’re starting all over again with the first day of school, but she made us really proud with her SEA performance.”
Ramlakhan encouraged parents to help instil positive values in their children.
“Keep talking to your children. Say your prayers and continue being there for them. Encourage them to be kind and supportive of others.”
She said traffic conditions were better than expected, although vehicles slowed considerably outside the school around 7.45 am as parents continued dropping off students.
At Tunapuna Presbyterian Primary School on Payne Lane, students assembled in the courtyard while parents gathered along the fence, offering last-minute words of encouragement.
Lester George, whose son is entering Standard Five, said the academic demands associated with next year’s Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) would soon become more pronounced.
“This is where things start. Moving from Standard Four to Standard Five brings greater awareness and responsibility. This is basically decision-making season.
“It’s a little nerve-racking. The work gets harder and everything requires a greater effort, so we just have to continue supporting him.”
George also encouraged parents of SEA pupils to lead by example.
“They are the future. If I’m bad, they will be bad. We have to do what we need to do as parents.”
Acting principal of Tunapuna Presbyterian Primary School, Sherpa Hanooman, said staff were looking forward to the new academic year. He also stressed the importance of strong collaboration between parents and teachers, particularly for children entering the primary school system from preschool.
“It’s a big change from preschool. There are new routines and it’s a bigger environment,” Hanooman said.
“During our orientation exercises, we provided parents with a lot of information about what to expect and the role they play. It’s important that they partner with us rather than oppose us. Parents must also know where to draw the line between being a parent and being a friend.”
Hanooman added that approximately 60 per cent of the school’s most recent SEA cohort secured placement at one of their preferred secondary schools.
