Dear Editor,
I have been reading and listening, quite ardently, to the many viewpoints of our citizens and other Ministers, concerning the Honourable Minister of Education, Mrs. Nicolette Henry’s decision to ban Christmas Parties in some schools, which has prompted me to write this article in support of our Honourable Minister. I wish to add my perspective and viewpoints on the current discussion that surrounds this matter.
First of all, I want to state that Christmas parties in my days – and even up to recent times – was something that students looked forward to. These parties were done in beauty, elegance and excellence, and where the labour and the expenses were shared amongst the students. It was always a positive and highly motivated event, unlike what it has become in our current times. There are some people who are disagreeing with the Honourable Minister of Education, but I wish to lend support to her, for it is necessary in this modern time to move away from the lewdness of what has become ‘Christmas parties’ in our Schools. I applaud the Minister for highlighting some of the key problems and troubling issues that I think will surprise some parents, who wrongly assume that nothing bad comes out of these so-called ‘Christmas parties.’
The main reason for my decision is due to the fact that discipline has severely broken down, where students have little respect for teachers and teachers, in return, have little respect for students. Some teachers abuse students, some teachers (male and female) get involved in sexual liaisons with students, some students become abusive and vulgar, some of them start to use alcohol and ecstasy pills. These ecstasy pills are known to lead these youths into free sex, misbehaviour and vulgar gyrations. The underage drinking of alcohol leads to shameful drunkenness. For these reasons, I strongly agree with the Honourable Minister of Education, because obviously, she sees far and she understands what this could do in our society, as well as the negative impact it could have on our future in Guyana, whereby the younger students will be inspired by the actions of the older graduating students.
I do not like to agree or to disagree with pertinent matters without giving my suggestions on making the matter at hand better. So, hereunder are my suggestions:
1. Schools should proceed with these luncheons in their school
attire, as the Minister respectfully and rightly said.
2. Additionally, they could have an end of year farewell get together.
3. I am also suggesting that they could have an end of year Christmas Concert, whereby Christmas songs are sung, stage dances, poems, plays, scripture readings, a ribbon dance, and even a pageant can be organized in this Christmas concert.
4. There could also be a Christmas Feast and Programme, involving the parent(s) of the child, where the parents come out to have lunch with their child in the school setting.
5. Additionally, there could be a Christmas Cookie Bake-Off involving these students where they could have little fun sessions baking Christmas Cookies and indulging in the goodies right after.
These little acts could help to inspire confidence in our children and youths and while at the same time, be fun and entertaining with something to always look forward to, as an end of year activity. And, when our youths are inspired by these positive activities, little by little, it could even help to change society.
I wish to state that this should not just be for Region 4, the City of Georgetown, but for the entire country. This directive needs to go out to all of the Headmasters and/or Head Mistresses, along with all of the teachers, that there should be no Christmas party, as it is known, especially when people are using ecstasy and drugs and involving themselves in vulgar gyrations and so on at these events.
Yours faithfully,
Hajji Dr. Roshan Khan Snr.
