THE EDITOR, Sir:

YOUR COLUMNIST Devon Dick is a respected Baptist minister and the pastor of a progressive church whose members would use what-ever means necessary to keep indiscipline out of their sanctuary. It is, therefore, surprising that he seems to be on the side of those who, without having any knowledge of what is happening in schools, have waded into the 'bling-bling culture' debate and are quick to censure school administrators for ensuring that the lawless-ness, anarchy and depravity into which the society is descending is averted.

Rev. Dick does not see anything wrong with students breaking school rules regarding footwear. It has not crossed his mind that today it's shoes, tomorrow it will be something else. And that is precisely why schools are having problems with discipline because many of those who are beneficiary of a school system, where students knew the consequences for breaking rules, are now mouthing platitudes about students rights and allowing students to feel that having rights means doing as they feel.

If the Reverend Mr. Dick and others who think like him were to experience first-hand what goes on in schools daily, from basic to the highest level, they would understand why 'following due process' is an empty phrase. Rev. Dick's article not only fell short of sound reasoning as evidenced by his detention room an punishment, but his reference to Jesus' sandals suggests that he did not give this column his usual erudite thought.

I am, etc.,

EVELYN GYLES

gylesE@hotmail.com