The Editor, Sir:

I am a concerned and a confused parent, seeking some clarity on this matter, please, sir. On Wednesday, September 17, 2008, my child, who is an eighth-grader at the Bridgeport High School, came home from school visibly upset. She reported to me that, along with some of her classmates, she was punished by the literature teacher for not being in possession of the literature book, 'Annie John'. After questioning my child, I discovered that close to half the class did not own this book and, as such, they were warned by this teacher that should they turn up for class again without the book, they would be punished again.

most upset

I am most upset, to say the least, at the action taken by teacher towards her charges, bearing in mind that the children are not the ones responsible for procuring their books and the things that they need for school. I would imagine that, this learned teacher, seeing that almost half the class did not own a copy of this book, would surmise that there is definitely a problem in procuring this book and, as such, would make allowances by giving them time to get this book.

I have exhausted all the bookstores in Portmore, and most in Kingston, in an effort to purchase this book, but was told by one merchant that the book will be arriving in the island in another two weeks or so, it was hard to get.

Mr Minister, is this the way our teachers are supposed to treat our children when they are not responsible for their books and stuff? Are they supposed to be punished due to the unavailability of a book?

Mr Minister, this wreaks of child abuse and I do not intend to let this incident die a natural death. Some clarity please, Mr. Minister.

I am, etc.,

KAYE CHRISTIAN

amoya4u@yahoo.com