EDITOR – As a fee-paying parent with a long, positive association with Glenardle Junior Primary School, I am totally shocked and appalled at the recent events at the school.
I am extremely concerned for my child’s physical and mental well-being.
The school environment of late has been one of tension and hostility (a fact which has not been lost on my child despite the efforts of many dedicated staff members). The presence of policemen on the school property is terrifying for children and last Monday’s chaos left my child visibly shaken and extremely insecure. She told me repeatedly that she was scared the alarm would ring and her classroom would be locked. As parents, we do our best to shield our children from the ugliness of the world and I find the aforementioned incidents totally unacceptable.
Regardless of any ‘issues’ going on behind the scenes, as far as I’m concerned my child’s best interests and her education should be at the forefront of any decisions made. This has simply not been the case. Since it seems the Department of Education has chosen to put politics ahead of pupils, it is left to me to stand up for the rights of my child and give this matter the attention it deserves.
As a parent body we have been given no assurances whatsoever that our children will be kept safe during this transition and in fact, the opposite has happened. Trust is paramount when choosing an educational institution for your child and the events of the past week have left me seriously questioning my choice. I for one, refuse to acknowledge any new principal regardless of colour or creed until my concerns are addressed.
In the interests of transparency, I urge the management of the school to call a meeting for all interested parties where grievances and fears can be openly and honestly addressed and dealt with.
If it is in fact the goal of the new ‘principal’ to work together towards excellence in education and put the needs of the learners first, I see no reason why this cannot be arranged as a matter of extreme urgency.
For fear of victimisation of my child, I have refrained from stating my name but feel it is imperative that this message is conveyed as publicly as possible.
AN EXTREMELY CONCERNED PARENT
