Dear Editor,

The following is an open letter to the management of Calabar High School:

I was rather disappointed upon hearing about the alleged assault of a Calabar High School teacher by two students. The teacher has told his side and the school has also given its account, which says that the students were disrespectful, but did not assault the teacher.

I was surprised to hear that the students in question would used the phrase, “track students run school”. Well, Calabar needs to teach its students that track students do not run school, but run around in school.

The school states the students were suspended for being disrespectful, but this came months after the misdeed and only because the teacher was adamant. This was as a little slap on the wrist as the students were still allowed to participate in school-related activities.

It’s no secret that schools have issues with indiscipline. It is no secret that students disrupt classes and even challenge teachers to their faces. The teacher is often left powerless as some school administrations have dared to say that rude behaviour by students is the teacher’s fault for failing to have control over his/her class.

Indiscipline can be found in every level of the school and this is something that should be addressed by the Ministry of Education — indiscipline, not only on the students’ part, as administrators sometimes cover up and support the actions of rude students.

I am crying shame on the administration of Calabar for the way in which this matter was dealt with. Covering up for students when they are wrong breeds the corruption that we see in our country.

Word is that students are being favoured due to their ability to contribute to sports, not even academics?

Calabar’s course of action must be one that involves a suspension that involves the students not participating in the boys’ and girls’ championships now taking place.

As for the acting principal, I believe that he should tender his resignation immediately for the embarrassment that he has caused the school by the way he handled the matter.

Calabar needs to restore its bar; the bar of discipline and integrity.

Christopher Johnson

Minister of Religion

Hanover

Chrisron23@gmail.com