To ‘graduate’ from primary school costly

Apparently, parents have been advised to purchase a graduation outfit for their children. A suit jacket (and you know how boy children grow from day to day; he won’t fit into this soon, far less later), a pair of “good” pants, a new shirt ... toute bagai.

“New shoes too,” she lamented (which truly mashed my corns and pushed me to write this letter).

The hotel in St Ann’s for the graduation will cost the “graduate” student $400. Each parent must pay $200, and each guest (they are allowed two) another $200 each.

I want to believe our Minister of Education has no idea about this.

My children all “graduated” from primary school. In their school halls.

Dunross was crowded, a little hot; we were worried it would rain. Eshe’s was really, really hot; we panicked and prayed the rain away.

If I remember correctly, a past student made a speech, a teacher usually retired, and the school choir sang a touching song of hope or praise. Generally, it was free, cheery and slightly emotional.

The most important thing was the children’s parents were with them and we all got to congratulate the graduates and thank their teachers.

I posted this to Facebook and, lo and behold, a stream of similar concerns from other parents were added. One school was charging $1,000.

Education is not about “how you go look,” it’s about how “you go think.” What is this all about, and why, why, why?

KATHRYN STOLLMEYER WIGHT Maraval