The following is an Observer Online column submitted by one of our readers.

As the new academic year picks up in earnest, I am using this opportunity to say congratulations to everyone who has managed to send their children back to school. Congratulations to the school administrations for doing their best in bringing the school in a state of readiness on shoestring budgets. With the nation being financially challenged, it is good to see the stakeholders not giving up under economic pressure. Praises are also in order to the students who were successful in their various exams. Parents, guardians and sponsors must feel proud that their investment bore fruit and there are great expectations for the future. As for the ones who were not successful, don’t give up! It is not the end of the world. “If a first you don’t succeed, try again.” Many of us as adult leaders have experienced failures but were encouraged to try much harder resulting in a number of success stories.

At this point, I am asking for caution. Parents, I beg of you to remember that our schools are governed by laws, so are our schools. If there are specific rules that govern clothing, especially uniforms, one must conform to these simple rules! The schools are not running a fashion show, or a series called “Jamaican Top Model” so the tight hipster’s pants and the altered designed tunics have no place in the classroom for after all, children are attending school for one purpose and that is to learn.

Looking back at last year, there were troubling issues that many persons would like to forget and there are things that we need to remember. Many of our students have died in peculiar circumstances and others have been reported missing and have not returned home. Parents, children and others, should protect their children and our neighbours’ children. Too many of our younger children are being sent alone to face dangerous situations. Parents and others must exercise responsibility in the safety and security of their children. If parents, for some reason cannot accompany their children to school, they should get a designated walker, pay her so that she can safely collect and walk the children to and from school! It is time that we realise that danger lurks outside our homes, streets and schools and so parental responsibility must be exercised! It is time that we seriously protect our young children and preventing them from becoming ‘damaged goods’- creating pressure on public institutions with troubled children who will never recover from incidents of violence inflicted on them years before. Make protection of your children be a priority.

Our current situation in Jamaica is stressful; therefore, our parents must continue the throw partners, make compulsory savings, invest and engage in some serious savings schemes. It would be wise to prepare for the next set of school fees from now by engaging in worthwhile activities and not spend foolishly.

The educational leaders from the Jamaica Teachers’ Association and the Ministry of Education have always wanted the same things and that is quality education for our population. In the previous academic year, the relationship between the two bodies was very strained, egos were bruised, and words were uttered. It was good that at the last JTA annual general meeting that the MOE head offered a white flag of peace and the delegates accepted it with “eyes wide open.”

Healthy eating and a good spiritual environment should never be left out in the school scenario. Care must be taken that students eat properly in order to have healthy minds for the promotion of healthy learning. As for spiritual development, this is necessary! Good churches play a vital role in the building of the spiritual and emotional self of children. It is observed by many of our teachers that the children who have very low self-esteem have very little to do with churches in their communities therefore they cannot draw strength from a “higher power” that can sustain and keep them persevering towards success. This is why devotional activities are encouraged in our schools so that the children’s minds can be focused on positive thoughts that promote good actions.

So, we are in another academic year, filled with uncertainty but hope. Hope that our children will do well in the times ahead. No one can tell what the future will hold, but with the positive signs of our schools open for business and parents, sending their fresh and well-dressed children out, there is still hope for the future.

Lyssette Hawthorne – Wilson

lysdave@yahoo.com