By Mel Cooke,
Freelance Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
NONE OF the 450 girls who attend Clark's Town Primary School, Trelawny, will be there tomorrow -- and the approximately 450 boys who should be there won't be dressed like on any ordinary school day.
Which is appropriate -- because it won't be.
Tomorrow, Clark's Town Primary will observe Boys' Day, the highlight of Boys' Week, which began on Sunday and ends on Friday. The theme for the week is 'Good Boys make Better Men' and as the name indicates attention is being focused on male students.
"We are sensing the need to really motivate our boys. We believe that unlike the girls, many boys are not given the quality attention to forge ahead -- the sense of purpose is just not there," Guidance Counsellor, Carmel White, said.
Principal, Charles HoShing, agrees.
"I'm convinced that people pay more attention to girls. I feel that emotionally the boys are neglected. They chat so much more than the girls, as if pulling attention to themselves," he said.
"I sense a lack of awareness by our boys to the realities that surround them. I hope that at least at the end of the week we will have brought out that awareness," said Mr. HoShing.
The week involves motivational talks, worship, entertainment and discussions like the one which took place on Monday, attracting more than 50 men. Geared towards the men, the topic was 'Changing gender roles and how it is affecting men.'
The school has also extended Boys' Week to parents, inviting them to participate. The police have also assisted by facilitating a 'town cry'.
The concept has taken root. "Enthusiasm is high. In fact, the girls are a little jealous," Ms. White said, laughing.
As part of Boys' Day, male students will be allowed to wear either khaki shirt or pants paired with a garment of their choice.
When the week is over, however, it is not going to be business as usual. The boys of Clark's Town Primary will benefit from programmes designed to support them, added the guidance counsellor. "It is an ongoing process," she said.
Tomorrow's Boys' Day activities include:
1. Guest speakers to conduct rap sessions. Invitees include Bobby Fray, Mutabaruka, Dr. Sydney McGill, representatives from the Jamaica Constabulary Force and Fathers Incorporated.
2. Police involvement -- promoting policing as a way to assist in the fight against crime and violence; sensitising students to the various career opportunities offered by the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
