As a parent, I now find myself wondering what are some of our teachers doing in the classrooms if they are not willing to take on the challenges of helping to bring those 'late bloomers' and 'slow learner' to a point where they can have a fair chance in life.

My son is facing the possibility of being asked to leave one of the prominent high schools not because he is a troublemaker, but because he is in a class that is mixed with repeaters, slow learners and possibly late bloomers. Some of these students went through the syllabus the year before; others haven't.

However, in order to maintain the institution's reputation (this could be one of the reasons), these students maybe be asked to leave before they reach grade 11 because they are said to be disruptive, non-performing and delinquent. Not all the boys in this class have these problems, but they, too, face possible expulsion because their grades are not up to scratch, and teachers are finding it difficult to teach them.

Objective, genuine teachers needed

Our teachers need to assess the word 'educator' again and what it takes to be a successful and student-satisfied one. Giving up at the signs of problems is not the way. Yet, these same teachers sometimes bend over backwards to please and put up with the rude behaviour of students who come from the elite camp.

The sad part about it is some of our teachers are helping to keep this system in place by refusing to find new techniques and ways to get those students who are labelled delinquents and dunce, back to the point were they can make something of their lives.

I am, etc.,

ELAINE GREEN

K-leo-10@hotmail.com

Cassia Park Road

Kingston 10