I AM VERY HAPPY to have read in the June 23 DAILY NATION that the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with secondary school principals, has finally been able to sit down and come up with a comprehensive plan I hope would bring an end to the many insularites among our young people (our future).

Even though I laud the ministry, I believe it is a situation that has been allowed to go on for far too long.

Trying to get the horse back into the stable is not going to happen overnight. Any attempt to reinstate some kind of code of ethics within our schools is worth every breath.

At the same time I would like to throw a word of advice to parents: don't get in the way of the ministry.

If you don't foresee the danger you are putting your children in by allowing them to dictate to you what they want rather than you, the parent, giving them what is best for them, then let those at the ministry who have your children's interest and future at heart do their jobs and support them the best way you can.

Standards taught

I would also like to take this opportunity to ask the ministry and the primary school principals to come together and look very seriously at rooting out the practice of parents sending to school their little boy children with their hair in all sorts of fancy cornrows.

If the school and the church are two institutions where moral, social and ethical standards are to be taught, then primary school principals, you have a job to do. It's time you took back your schools and instill morals.

Last, but not least in any way, this is directed to Mr Matthew Farley and Mr Jeff Broomes. You cannot expect children to function under a regimental system of "do as I say and not as I do". Teachers should use their judgement when dressing to appear before students.

Let me suggest to you gentlemen that if any teacher comes to school in a manner that is suggestive, distractive or, in plain words, too revealing tops or too short bottoms, they too should be sent back home. What is good for the goose should also be good for the gander.

I thank you, Mr Editor.

– JANE LEWIS