Shift better than no school

THE EDITOR: As a parent I feel sorry for the children of the Princes Town Presbyterian No 1 School who have been sharing facilities with the Princes Town No 2 School since 2015. I call on the Presbyterian Board and the Ministry of Education to work together for the construction of a new school to bring relief to these students and their teachers.

I am however also concerned about these students missing school because of the decision by parents to keep them away from classes instead of accepting the shift system so that they are not denied an education.

It is also distressing as a parent to see these children featured in the media participating in various forms of protest action, such as a candlelight vigil with MP Barry Padarath.

The students of the No 1 school have not attended classes since the start of the new term last week. Their parents said their children will remain home until the new school is built. These parents cannot be so uncaring, because even if construction starts soon it will take months, maybe more than a year, to complete the new school.

I congratulate the teachers for the great job they have been doing since the shift system started in 2015 and I encourage the parents to let good sense prevail. Put the interest of your children first and do not deny them an education. Attending classes on a shift system is better than no school at all.

SHARON SURJOO, Carenage