The Soloist, Contributor

I heard that on the recent Jamaica Day in schools, a few boys aged 13-16 bought a quart of whites and proceeded to drink and become so drunk, the authorities had to be called in. What is the world coming to?

Forgive me for sounding like a broken record, but Jamaican parents of today have no clue about the proper care of their children. Too many of them were just not prepared for the role I often see as a life sentence in prison. And that is why they are squealing so loudly now that the minister of education dared to suggest extending the school year.

For example, most parents just hate when school goes on summer holidays. They do not want to be bothered with caring for, spending time with, or finding constructive activities for their children for the period of June 30 to September 3. Can you believe it? On the other hand, many lazy teachers, who also suffer from a deficit of conscience, forget that they are paid 12 months a year when they really have contact with students for nine!

So, I am definitely for adding two more weeks. In Japan, most children are in school seven days a week. And we have all seen how brilliant they are. We don't know yet whether the extra time will mean better education, but we should at least give it a try. The teachers do need to have more contact time so that it will save parents some of the millions they are fleeced for so-called 'extra lessons'. They can use the extra two weeks to give the children some of what they are keeping back for extra lessons.

And don't forget summer school. How come teachers bitch about two extra weeks but are willing to collect extra money from the same parents for summer school? Give me a break. In these harsh economic times, we have to insist on value for money where we can get it. If parents don't take care of raising decent and law-abiding children, many of them are going to lose their focus and end up really needing to be taught the same thing twice, thus wasting teachers' time and school resources.

Killing her Lover

Have you been following the trial of Jodi Arias? The 32-year-old is accused of the June 4, 2008 slaying of her ex-lover, Travis Alexander, inside his Arizona apartment. At the time of writing, she had been questioned by jurors, whose line showed that they doubted her rant.

The evidence showed that Arias stabbed Alexander 27 times, shot him twice in the face and slashed his throat so hard his head was nearly severed. Arias has testified she killed Alexander in self-defence during an argument over a dropped camera that followed his escalating sexual demands. I can't wait to hear the verdict in this one. This woman is a piece of work; she just sits there claiming no memory of most of her actions. Men ... beware!

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