I’m writing this letter with the hope that readers will gain beneficial insight into certain aspects of the schooling system on Anegada, where many unjust dealings are hidden from the public view. To commence, I exercise my right to freedom of speech in good faith that many eyes will be opened and minds liberated.
One major dilemma faced in this schooling system is one of favouritism. Some individuals are given more opportunities for success than others. This contradicts the school’s motto: “To excel always.” Some even get away with acts for which others would be severely chastised. One example would be when I asked a question during a science examination about an error on the page itself. To my astonishment, I was reprimanded and told to “be quiet or marks would be taken off.” On the other hand, a schoolmate who asked a question received an intelligent answer.
I ask that Education and Culture Minister Myron Walwyn thoroughly investigate these matters, as this situation interferes with students’ ability to learn and their desire to continue learning.
Furthermore, we have teachers in the school who are acting more childish than the students. If this is going to be the case, why not employ other children to teach? In addition, as we all know, the school is presently under scrutiny for an alleged knife incident. It is just plain common sense that to pull a knife and to hold it to a vulnerable part of someone’s body, such as the throat, is barbaric. No matter the place, time or country, it is an invasion of human rights, general safety and well-being. Teachers are supposed to feel safe at school — not threatened!
The teacher who provoked this incident is claiming that it was “just a joke.” However, had the victim slightly turned in the knife’s direction, it could have resulted in serious injury or hospitalisation. Would that then be considered a joke? Do you find this in any way amusing?
Report to principal
To continue, we also have specific teachers who are abusing their authority and feel they can do as they please. When I told a teacher that I would take a matter to the principal, the teacher didn’t seem to care. I repeatedly attempted to explain these matters to the principal. However, my efforts were futile, as teachers are believed over students. Furthermore, selective teachers are sending students to the store during school time to buy their snacks, while turning around and calling these same students names such as “stupid” and “retarded.” Does this sound like the diligent, educated and disciplined teachers that you would want to teach your children, nephews or nieces? Isn’t this enough evidence for the dismissal of certain teachers? A few of the teachers in the school don’t even seem qualified to teach!
In addition, there is one teacher in particular who is causing disarray within the schooling system on Anegada. This teacher is provoking the students to negative behaviours. One atrocious example is that my classmates and I took an examination and we all happened to score low grades. No one, not even the principal, looked into it. These were exams we would usually pass with high marks. Another example is that students who regularly average As and Bs are now returning to this teacher to find that their science grades are Cs and Ds. This was reportedly due to the fact that this particular teacher didn’t “feel” like correcting the work. Then another teacher, realising this as a student handed in an assignment, saw this teacher still refusing to correct the assignment that was handed in. I also found out that this same “teacher,” who I thought was supposed to build students up, was only tearing them down. This teacher also sent some of my schoolwork to Tortola without it being marked, making it appear as though I didn’t do the work and lowering my GPA.
‘True GPA’
Investigations must be done into these matters so that I may attain the true GPA that I have worked for. The main question I have to ask is why send such a person to teach us here on Anegada? What could we possibly learn from this person that would be beneficial to us? Will this push us forward in sophistication or only hold us back from reaching our goals? Would any other school accept this pollution in their learning environment concerning injustice and favouritism? The fact of the matter is that this problem needs to be eradicated.
Finally, Anegada is too small for this situation to be going on in our schooling system. So, please, with an open mind read and envision our struggles. Don’t discriminate, but try to aid in the development of the solution. For if it were your child, nephew or niece in this situation, you would try to rid their learning environment of pollution. Therefore, remember that we are nephews, nieces and children of others. If the government is willing to help in the eradication of these problems, that would be greatly appreciated and acknowledged respectfully.