The Editor, Sir:

This is the second consecutive year that we have had a delay in the start of the school year because of bad weather. There have been several others over the last decade. Global warming will continue to give rise to increased frequency and intensity of these weather systems.

While I am aware that tropical storms and hurricanes are unpredictable and can strike at any time, I am wondering if it is not time we give consideration to adjusting our academic year to minimise the number of school days that are lost to our children.

October to July

I am proposing that we look seriously towards a first Monday in October start of the school year, and continue until the end of July.

Evidently, this would affect the scheduling of the CSEC examinations. Hurricanes are, of course, of regional concern, and adjustments in the delivery schedule of those examinations should not elicit any serious objections from participating Caribbean states.

I am hoping, too, that the school plants that are being rehabilitated and the proposed new schools will be constructed in order that wind and water damages will be mitigated.

I am, etc.,

STANLEY REDWOOD

stanley_redwood@yahoo.com

Middle Quarters

St Elizabeth