Make parents pay for delinquents

Ramatali also called on Government to enforce stricter penalties for child abandonment, rape and buggery and suggested that more local television programmes highlighting positive values and parenting be aired at prime time.

She was addressing the NPTA’s 45th mid-year convention, which had the theme "United and Embracing All" at La Joya Complex in St Joseph.

While she hailed the NPTA as the "most powerful organisation in the education system" saying it was the only one that brought home, school and church under one roof, Ramatali chided absentee teachers and parents.

"I urge mothers and fathers to take up your responsibilities in the homes. Parents are migrating and only sending barrels to the children. The Lord will deal with you," she warned.

Ramatali said that the school system was a reflection of the violence in society. She suggested that reintroduction of groups such as Brownies, Girl Guides, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Red Cross, Rangers and Cadets into the school system would help in reducing school violence.

The NPTA chairman said she supported Government’s decision to train all teachers entering the service and called on the Teaching Service Commission and the Ministry of Education to select principals based, not only on academics, but on interpersonal skills and ability to motivate staff and students.

Ramatali highlighted the progress of the NPTA in educating, empowering and training parents via workshops on self and interpersonal relationships, human sexuality, HIV/AIDS and good parenting. She said the group has also been successful in Tobago in this regard.

The NPTA’s future plans include a parent outreach newsletter which will be funded by the Canadian Embassy, extension of homework centres, funding of "Know your Country" tours for students during the July/August vacation and construction of NPTA’s headquarters at Carlsen Field.