LETTER OF THE DAY - Stand against indiscipline

THE EDITOR, Sir:

Normally, I would let things in the newspaper pass, but I am appalled at the responses from some parents and the wider community regarding the school rules finally being enforced.

Our children are a direct replica of our society - what we put in is what we get out. In this day and age, where we are being faced with classroom porn videos on the Internet and so many cases of sexual activity among our children, I would think that 'level-headed' Jamaicans would welcome the idea that something as simple as the wearing of tight clothes to school is prohibited.

We are a SOCIETY. Society is an institution, and like every institution, it is governed by rules. The bank, hospitals, clinics, police stations and even some streetside shops have rules about what should be worn in their place of business, for example, 'NO SHIRT - NO SERVICE'.

On another note, isn't it the parents who pay for these uniforms to be made? Even if you send the child to take the measurement, check what the dressmaker or tailor sends home.

They are called 'UNIFORM' for a reason. The word uniform means 'conforming to ONE principle, standard or rule'. It is the school that sets this standard that parents and society should ensure that our children follow. It also reveals the principle of some parents who may believe it is acceptable for our boys and girls to dress a particular way.

Why should we allow our children to rule us and our schools?

not pleased

The dress code of the students is even being compared with the dress code of some teachers or the behaviour of parliamentarians. The fact that we are making that comparison in a negative light shows that we are not pleased with the behaviour of the teachers or the parliamentarians, simply because we expect better from them.

What we should do then is embrace the change that the school is implementing and hope that this generation will change and not become like the adults we are complaining about.

Some may say the children need to explore their individuality. Well, my take, like my mother would say, "You have to kiss butt before you can kick it." In other words, do whatever it takes to get where you need to be, and if you so desire at that time, present yourself the way you want to.

TASHIKA YATEMAN

tashika3042@yahoo.com