I am sick and tired and tired and sick of parents who encourage their children to break the school rules, especially regarding the school uniform.
When I was going to school, my mother ensured that I followed the school rules. It was never an option, neither was it up for discussion. It never mattered what was in style or fashionable; once it wasn’t in accordance with the rules, I knew I would have been wasting time telling her about it.
I cannot remember one time going to school wearing anything that wasn’t part of the school uniform. Yes, students leave home one way and alter their uniform on their way to school or while at school. Me? I would never have risked that. I knew the consequences if my mother found out.
I have seen students attend school for a full year wearing the incorrect pants, shoes, socks and jewellery. I have also seen children being allowed to wear hairstyles that I believe are not appropriate for school.
Since the wearing of prohibited earrings to schools is an ongoing problem, I think the Ministry of Education should ban the wearing of earrings during school hours altogether. There is no reason for them in the first place.
Many parents who question the dress code have themselves been to school and followed it. Furthermore, they go to their places of employment and readily conform to the rules and regulations.
Imagine, parents can’t go to work dressed as they please yet they encourage their children to go to school dressed however they feel like. Nonsense, I say.
When adults apply for a job and are accepted, they know that they either comply with the rules or leave. I think the same approach should be taken in all schools.
Parents have asked: “What is the relationship between dress and academic performance or learning?” I would respond with this question: “What is the relationship between dress and performance on the job?”
We complain about rules and their enforcement, but without rules there can be no development of character or order within society. Take a look at Singapore and see how the enforcement of rules has helped that country to be one of the fastest developing countries in the world.
We allow schoolchildren to break rules and then we are shocked and disappointed at the low level of productivity in our workplaces. Let’s not forget that these same schoolchildren will be our next Civil Service.
I went to Foundation School during the days of principal Major Barker. He was a feared and respected principal. I remember that on the first day of fourth form, Major Barker lined up all the senior male students in the hall and asked each student to pull up his pants legs. Any student who was in breach of the school rules by wearing socks that were not black or blue was sent home. That day I think more than 50 students were sent home.
On another occasion, I was invited to conduct a three-day workshop at the Springer Memorial School. During my time there I did not see a single student with a uniform above her knees or wearing an unsuitable uniform.
Children need guidance but they also need consistency. We as educators cannot enforce rules one year and then slacken off the next two years and then re-enforce them the following. What example are we setting?
All schools should have a schoolbook containing the rules and regulations of the establishment. If the rules say no sneakers, high cuts or suede shoes are allowed and parents proceed to purchase such, then those parents should expect to educate their children themselves at their homes until the appropriate shoes are obtained.
I want to encourage principals to be firm in their stance against those who break the school rules and against those parents who encourage this behaviour. Principal Matthew Farley took a firm stance, and there has been a significant improvement at his school. I encourage others to do the same.
Remember, the students of today will shape our society tomorrow.
• Corey Worrell is a former Commonwealth youth ambassador. Email coreyworrell@gmail.com.
