Dear Editor,

On June 6, 2015 Minister of Education Ronald Thwaites announced that he would be putting our children’s academic future at risk.

In an attempt to clear up the transport centre of loitering students he has decided that putting students closer to home is the solution, but what about the academic future of our children? This solves no problem, but instead poses numerous others.

We have a stratified system in place here in Jamaica, I agree that we should level the playing field, but this is not the way to go. In Jamaica, all schools are not created equal, some students will be losing in this situation. Our minister should seek to level the playing field so that eventually all schools will be considered ‘good’ schools. Since this is not the reality now, the minister will be ruining the academic lives of several children as well as killing their dreams if he continues with this idea of his.

If parents want their children to go to school closer to them, let them make that decision. Encourage the parents to take into account transportation when helping their children choose schools. Do not force children to go where they don’t want to go, Minister, after working so hard. I urge you all to think of our children.

If you agree with me, please sign this petition: www.ipetitions.com/petition/protect-the-academic-future-of-our-children

Samantha J

csdwriting@hotmail.com