That school uniform dilemma

Edward Morris, Guest Columnist

Approximately 80 boys were refused entry to the Calabar High School on September 9, 2013 because of non-compliance with the institution's dress code. One daily newspaper quoted Calabar's principal, Albert Corcho, as saying, "This is a school. Students have to learn to follow rules and regulations." The principal stated that he'd had enough.

We ought to applaud Mr Corcho for his brave and daring stance in the face of ridicule from a society that is becoming increasingly parochial in its observance of rules and regulations.

This entire incident, however, begs a few questions. One television newscast showed Mr Corcho asserting that boys must look like real men. But what do "real men" look like? Isn't this all a matter of acculturation? And it doesn't take a genius to detect the sociocultural direction in which our beloved country is moving.

Ironically, Calabar wasn't alone in its enforcement, as Donald Quarrie High School (DQHS) also locked out several students that day for uniform infringements. Some say we're wasting time, but in the wider scheme of things, is it really a waste?

In the television coverage of the DQHS lockout, Damian Crawford was seen congregating with the disgruntled group. While the television reporter was quick to point out that the popular MP and minister was serving only as a volunteer teacher that day, she further suggested that like many in the crowd, Mr Crawford seemed uninterested in the disciplinary actions of the school and was more interested in teaching critical academic lessons. If this was indeed the minister's posture, I would be most disappointed.

Influential public figure

So Minister Crawford, in what capacity did you really show your face? It cannot be as a volunteer teacher who would have wielded very little sway; it had to have been as a minister/MP. You, therefore, have got to be ultra careful of any utterance or signal on your part, as you are an influential public figure. You serve as a role model for many and you are charged with moulding lives the proper way. Politicians, of all persons, must take the high road.

The question that is begging is: While teaching "critical academic lessons", isn't it just as important to teach conformity to rules and regulations - like the observance of the dress code instituted by the institutions of learning? There has to be a fine balance between discipline and teaching, both symbiotically related.

We should never seem to be favouring one at the expense of the other. Students and the society need sufficient balance of academic preparation and social discipline.

Ellen G. White, noted 20th-century author, postulated, "True education means more than the pursuit of a certain course of study ... . It has to do with the whole being, and with the whole period of existence possible to man. It is the harmonious development of the physical, the mental, and the spiritual powers ... ." ('Education', pg. 14).

So, whose duty is it to provide this preparation? It cannot be the sole responsibility of the principals, guidance counsellors, school resource officers or teachers. The home environment - parents, guardians, and the community - plays a far more critical role than do schoolteachers.

Is Mr Corcho able to advise whether the parents affected by this enforcement attend parent-teacher association meetings? He displayed for the camera a sample letter sent to each parent over the summer, containing specific dress codes. But how many of the parents looked at their letter? In fact, how many students actually took them home? He reports that there is an approximate 90 per cent compliance, but this is not enough!

The student-parent link is a major component of this education thrust. Many students, upon graduation, will need to wear a uniform when they start working or conform to stipulated dress codes at the workplace. Why not practise compliance from now?

It is my suggestion that uniform defiance is only a microcosm of a larger system of rebellion and waywardness in our society. We ignore the connection between discipline in schools and behaviour in the larger society to our peril.

Standards

One DQHS parent claimed that inadequate instructions were given about the uniform standards. School administrators would be warned to be careful in their instructions. A simple rule of thumb would be, what would a court of law say? Were reasonable steps taken by the schools to inform and enforce?

Now where is the Ministry of Education (MOE) in all of this? Such actions must be policy-driven, and cannot be left to individual schools to devise and enforce their own rules. Standards must emanate from the MOE and be uniformly applied across all schools. I wonder if the well-intentioned minister of education can provide an update on the progress/teaching of civics in schools. Where are we now?

So where do we go from here? School administrators have to be consistent in their enforcement. It cannot be that some schools are with the programme while others don't seem to care one iota. The MOE must spearhead this drive.

And parents, do you dedicate enough time to checking your kids' bags, books, uniforms, etc., on a regular basis? Do you ever take time for a surprise visit to the school compound just to observe your child in action? Do neighbours still possess the right to admonish your children? Alas, even teachers are scared to discipline their students for fear of their lives.

Jamaica, for the sake of our beloved country, we have serious work to do. Won't you please get on board?

Edward Morris is an instructor at Northern Caribbean University in Mandeville. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and emorris@ncu.edu.jm.