Thwaites issues mea culpa

Dear Editor,

On reflection, and having listened to all the comments, I would like, even at this late stage, to withdraw my use of the term "leggo beast" to describe uncontrollable children spoken at last week's Jamaica Teachers' Association conference.

The serious issue facing the society of weak parenting and inadequate community support to socialise so many schoolchildren is likely to be overlooked by controversy over the appropriations of a phrase I used. I regret speaking in the manner I did.

Despite the difficulties, teachers must not label students and schools must take on special responsibility to make a positive difference in the lives of all our children.

I have communicated with Senator Kamina Johnson-Smith to appreciate her insistence for this matter to be corrected. I trust we can all combine our efforts to curb the serious problems of indiscipline facing our teachers and students and cramping the outcome of an education system.

Ronald Thwaites

Minister of Education

Heroes Circle

Kingston

 

Thwaites issues mea culpa

-->