THE EDITOR, Sir:
IT IS with some satisfaction that I have noted the recent effort of the Minister of Education, Maxine Henry-Wilson to copy an idea from the St. Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS).
This is to involve parents of Grade 7 students in the education of their children. School officials and parents are required to meet regularly to discuss issues pertaining to the students' development and the parents are asked to attend training classes in parenting skills. While this is an excellent idea, the success of the programme from a national perspective will be dependent on a much earlier start than at the secondary school level.
We should develop basic parenting courses that can and should be taught to expectant mothers and their partners. These parenting seminars should be ongoing and could be tied to other benefits or social interventions by the state.
Every parent wants what is best for his/her child and is likely to apply new skills in the nurturing of children if these social intervention programmes are viewed as rewards for good parenting. By the time a child gets to the secondary school level a foundation would have already been set and our children would be more receptive to what is appropriate for that level.
To do otherwise at this time is to attempt to catch the horse after it has gone through the gate.
I am, etc.,
NIGEL CAMPBELL
Kingston 6.
