MINISTER of Education Ronald Thwaites is appealing to parents who may have grievances with school officials to settle them privately.

He said when this approach is taken, students will be taught the proper procedures to settle disputes from the earliest onset.

“There is no ground for lingering disputes and we who are in authority must set an example. The phenomenon of school gates being locked for this or that concern must no longer be tolerated. It is extremely important that we recognise that children live what they learn,” he said.

The minister was speaking at the official launch and signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the ministry and First Heritage Co-operative Credit Union (FHCCU), for the annual parenting seminar at the agency’s offices in Kingston on May 22.

Commending the organisers for their insight in hosting the function, Thwaites said it can only redound to the benefit of the participants and the wider society.

“I salute the efforts of FHCCU and Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU),” the minister said.

In the meantime, he said the ministry will be establishing 60 parent places across the island, to further strengthen programmes geared at promoting proper parenting and family values.

They will provide critical support and guidance to parents as they undertake the increasingly difficult task of child rearing.

These centres, considered one-stop-shops, provide a comfortable and attractive place for parents to go for information, courses, workshops, mentoring, recreational activities, income support training and when possible, diagnostic and therapeutic services.

The minister noted that the National Parenting Commission has also been established as part of the effort to provide ongoing support for parents.

For the past 13 years, the FHCCU planned, organised and hosted annual parenting seminars, in conjunction with the YOU.

They seek to assist parents and guardians to raise well-rounded, grounded, balanced children who can reach their greatest potential and become productive adults in the society.

This year’s seminar was held May 27 at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston.