The Editor, Sir:

The most recent attack on the school system is certainly not the first, but maybe the most daring. Principals and teachers have always been verbally and more recently physically abused. Parents and students have called educators thieves, money-lovers, money-grabbers whenever an attempt is made to solicit funds for the daily operations of the school.

Did you know that many teachers will have to clean their classrooms for the beginning of the new school year or pay someone to do it? Which profession allows its employees to clean their workspaces? Did you know that many teachers have to leave their classrooms to work in the tuckshop during recess to raise funds for the school? The teachers have to do it because there is no money to pay an attendant. Did you know that many teachers and students have to leave their classrooms after lunch to rid the school compound of litter made during lunch break? And we wonder why literacy levels are low.

More than unfortunate

The recent labelling of school administrators is much more than unfortunate and the coming school year will manifest the repercussions caused by such 'slips of the tongue'. Were these really 'slips of the tongue'? If I were a principal, I know exactly what I would do. I would not collect auxiliary fees and show Jamaica the effect such an act would have on the education system.

I am sure both political administrations know exactly what would happen. Why then is the Government pretending as if schools are being adequately funded? If parents don't contribute, who will make up for the shortfall? The Government complains every day of not having money to do all that is needed to be done. We were even encouraged to plant cassava because of the economic strains being faced. Education takes a lot of money - Barbados can attest to that. We know very well what educators have to go through to maintain 'government' schools. That is why I believe that someone should apologise for the unfortunate 'slips of the tongue'.

I am, etc.,

TENNISHA MORRIS

literacyadvocate@gmail.com

Kingston 17

Via Go-Jamaica