Dear Editor,

The wearing of prescribed uniforms in schools is a perennial problem. As many of us are so wont to do, we try to find complicated solutions for simple problems.

On registering their children in schools, all parents should be made aware of the rules and protocols of each school and the parents should then be asked to sign off, if he or she agrees. The parents should then encourage their children, each day, to obey these rules and to be on their best behaviour. Once the rules are clearly defined and accepted by parents, no allowance should be made to accommodate those outrageous hairstyles and other such breaches by both boys and girls. Children of the Rastafarian faith can be asked to wear their locks in a neat and tidy fashion. Authority must not be ceded to rebellious and irresponsible children and parents.

The main focus while in school should be on learning, and parents should encourage their children to do just that.

In most government institutions, adults must conform to the dress codes laid down. The courts, hospitals, restaurants, etc, have dress codes for both staff and patrons, so why not comply?

Students can utilise their holidays to freely express themselves.

Of course, authority must not be too draconian, too demanding, or too restrictive. We must not forget that we live in a very dysfunctional society, where most of the children are only exposed to antisocial behaviour, so they should be encouraged to obey authority as it’s a necessary component for discipline and character development.

The teachers already face so many behavioural challenges, should we not try to lighten their burden instead of trying to add to it? If teachers could also display a little more gentleness, a little more understanding coupled with peaceful and loving interactions with the children, I’m sure that they would find that they have better behaved children who would be more willing to obey the rules.

Doriana Dailey

dorianabd@gmail.com