I am writing this letter in total disagreement to what the minister of education, Andrew Holness, is saying about principals and problems in schools. I strongly believe he is misinformed. The minister needs to stop pointing fingers at teachers and school administrators for students' poor academic performance. Too often people go around playing the blame game and nothing is being done to correct what is the real problem.

I wonder if the minister fully understands the challenges the schools are facing each day. Overcrowding is a major problem which impedes the teachers' ability to impart knowledge. Apart from that, there is a large number of students who are considered slow learners because of a lack of proper nutrition, or poverty, which affects their ability to attend school regularly. The minister needs to realise that some students are coming to school really hungry and, thus, cannot concentrate to learn.

These same students hardly attend school, therefore, they would have missed most of the content which is taught. These are just a few of the issues the students come with.

When is the minister going to realise that in order for a child to do well, all three parties play a critical role. This, of course, must involve parents, teachers and the child. The teachers or school alone cannot be blamed. When is he going to start holding parents accountable for their children? When is he going to make children realise they have a part to play?

Students now believe they don't have to do anything because when they are not learning it is not their fault. They will not be held accountable for their failure to attend school or to do work in class. These students nowadays, especially the misguided ones, know all their rights but are unaware of their responsibilities.

If the minister continues like this our education system will not get any better.

I am, etc.,

E. COLEMAN

daintyangel21@yahoo.com

Port Maria, St Mary